SANTA CLARA – Michael Crabtree not only was dressed for the start of Wednesday's practice, the 49ers wide receiver made it through to the end as well.

That's significant. It was Crabtree's first full practice since the 2010 season, and it increases the likelihood that the former first-round draft pick will at least be available to take part in Sunday's season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

Quarterback Alex Smith said he also threw to Crabtree during a Tuesday walk-through session.

"It was good to see him out there running around," Smith said. "He's extremely talented. He's going to help us a ton."

Crabtree missed his third straight preseason this year after breaking a bone in his left foot during a player-run practice June 6 at San Jose State. The injury occurred during the lockout, and Crabtree didn't have it diagnosed until the following month.

He had surgery in July and spent the beginning of training camp in a walking boot. The 49ers removed him from the physically-unable-to-perform list Aug. 30, and he was running short routes last week.

Wednesday was the first day he was running full routes. With Smith and rookie Colin Kaepernick firing passes to him, Crabtree ran an array of patterns, from quick slants to longer double moves down the field.

Crabtree seemed quick in and out of his breaks, but it was not clear if he was going full speed.

Also cloudy is his role in Sunday's game. As it stands, the 49ers list Crabtree as the fifth receiver on their depth chart. However, it's difficult to see coaches keeping him out of action if he is able to play.

Coach Jim Harbaugh said Crabtree could line up at either wideout position and also is capable of playing out of the slot.

"It's the same thing we said to the receivers going into this week – we'll judge it on how they're practicing, who gives us the best ability at each position, each play, each personnel group," Harbaugh said. "We'll look at that part this week."

Inside information – The Seahawks have two players, receiver Doug Baldwin and cornerback Richard Sherman, who played for Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio last year at Stanford. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson said he has spent time with with Baldwin and plans to do the same with Sherman.

"He gave me some insight on what the defensive coordinator likes to do, and he was with those guys a couple years and knows them and has watched them a lot," Jackson said of Baldwin. "… But, like I said, who knows if they'll keep doing the same things they did at Stanford, so we kind of want to prepared for both, so I'm going to go back and make sure I do some history on that."

Et cetera – While 49ers safety Reggie Smith (knee) went through a full practice, starting safety Dashon Goldson (knee) did not practice. That increases the possibility that Madieu Williams will start Sunday's game at the position.

• For the Seahawks, offensive starters Robert Gallery (knee) and wide receiver Sidney Rice (shoulder) did not practice.

• The last Indianapolis Colts quarterback to start a game other than Peyton Manning? That would be Harbaugh. "That was a long time ago," Harbaugh said. "What, 1997? That is amazing. Just a testament to the greatness of Peyton Manning."

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