HOUSTON -- Rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree is starting for the San Francisco 49ers in his NFL regular-season debut.
Crabtree, the 10th overall pick in last April's draft, was on the field for the 49ers' first possession in Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. Crabtree signed a six-year contract with the 49ers on Oct. 7 after a 71-day holdout.
Crabtree didn't catch a pass in the 49ers' first three plays from scrimmage. San Francisco didn't pick up a first down and punted the ball.
Crabtree caught 97 passes for 1,165 yards and scored 19 touchdowns last year, his sophomore season at Texas Tech. He finished his college career with 231 receptions for 3,127 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
