Crabtree: slow start not connected to injuries

SANTA CLARA – Michael Crabtree conceded his season is off to a slower-than-desired start, but he bristled at any suggestion that it's connected to a foot injury that briefly sidelined him earlier this year.

During the 49ers' Week 4 game against the Eagles, Crabtree left the game and had doctors look at his foot. He was on the team's injury report the following week with a foot ailment but hasn't appeared on the report since.

“What are you talking about about a foot?” a peeved Crabtree said. “I’ve played eight (sic) games since then and you’re talking about my foot? We’re good, man. That ain’t even a question to even ask me.”

Crabtree has dealt with a broken foot twice since 2009 and last year he tore his Achilles' tendon during an offseason workout. He returned from that injury late last season and declared himself fully recovered prior to this season, the final year of his contract.

Crabtree's production, however, has not matched that of previous seasons.

His 362 receiving yards ranks second behind Anquan Boldin among the 49ers' pass catchers. But it's only six more yards than Stevie Johnson's total despite getting more than double Johnson's snaps. Crabtree also has a team-leading seven drops this season.

“I always have high expectations for myself,” he said. “It ain’t where I want it to be. That’s why I work hard every day. That’s why I try to catch every pass. Whatever they give me, I just try my hardest to work with it. I’ve been here before. You guys see what you see.”

49ers receiving leaders

This story was originally published November 6, 2014 at 3:08 PM.