The 49ers added WR Bruce Ellington in the 4th round of the draft.  Ellington arrived at South Carolina as a basketball player but joined the football team for his final 3 years.  He posted career bests in catches (49), yards (775) and TDs (8) in 2013.  Ellington is a stout 5'9, 197-pounder with impressive hands and explosiveness.  He looks like a slot receiver in the pros.  Ellington won't be on the fantasy radar in 2014 but is worth monitoring in keeper and dynasty leagues.  The 49ers might soon be retooling their WR corps with Anquan Boldin turns 34 in October, and Michael Crabtree is a free agent next offseason.

The 49ers have acquired WR Stevie Johnson from the Bills in exchange for a conditional 2015 4th-round pick that can become a 3rd-rounder, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.  There was no room left for Johnson in Buffalo after the team added WR Sammy Watkins on Thursday night.  The Bills will roll with Watkins, Mike Williams and Robert Woods as their top 3 receivers.  In San Francisco, Johnson will slide in as the #3 WR behind Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin.  The 49ers had 3 WRs on the field a league-low 26% of the time last year.  That mark will certainly rise in 2014, but Johnson figures to struggle for consistent targets and reliable weekly fantasy value.

49ers WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles) is active for today’s game against the Rams.  He’ll be on a snap count -- Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer suggested 60-65% -- and isn’t a recommended fantasy starter this week.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, 49ers WR Michael Crabtree will have "no physical limitations" in his 2013 debut today.  That's encouraging news as he returns from a devastating Achilles injury.  Rapoport adds, though, that Crabtree "may not play every snap."  That makes him a shaky Week 13 fantasy option.  Ideally, you can take a "wait-and-see" approach before getting Crabtree into your starting lineup.

49ers WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles) is set to make his 2013 debut on Sunday against the Rams.  He put in a full week of practice but is still likely to be on a snap count.  Crabtree is worth rostering in fantasy but is better off on your bench for Week 13.

The Niners went without LB NaVorro Bowman (knee, shoulder) in practice Wednesday, but the defensive star returned for Thursday's workout.  He should be on track to play Sunday against the Rams in a matchup he dominated the 1st time this season.  WR Mario Manningham (knee) also returned after missing Wednesday's workout.  DE Ray McDonald (ankle) remained out and looks unlikely to play after missing the past 2 games.  WR Michael Crabtree, meanwhile, continues to appear on track for a return to action Sunday.

49ers WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles) has been activated from the PUP list.  Today was the deadline for the 49ers to activate him.  ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms that Crabtree is expected to make his 2013 debut against the Rams on Sunday.  He'll almost certainly be on a snap count and won't be a recommended fantasy start.  We'll re-evaluate his value the rest of the way next week.  Crabtree is at least worth stashing in deeper fantasy leagues.  Just keep in mind that it often takes players a full year to return to 100% after Achilles injuries.

49ers insider Matt Maiocco confirms that WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles) will not play against the Redskins tonight.  The team has been easing him back into practice over the past couple weeks, and ESPN's Adam Schefter suggests that Crabtree could be ready to play Week 13.  He figures to be on a snap count initially, though.  Crabtree won't be a fantasy option until Week 14 at the earliest.

49ers WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles) has been cleared to practice.  The team now has 21 days to promote him to the active roster.  HC Jim Harbaugh recently said that Crabtree could be ready by "mid-to-late November."  He won't play against the Panthers this Sunday but could make his debut in Week 11 or 12.  Crabtree is now worth rostering in most fantasy leagues, although we don't expect him to be more than a WR3 at any point this season.  The 'Niners will remain run-heavy, Anquan Boldin will see his targets and Crabtree is coming off a significant injury.

49ers HC Jim Harbaugh said WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles) is "on track" for a November return.  “I think it’s more November, middle to late November is what we’re hoping for,” Harbaugh said.  “Everything is positive. Very upbeat and feels like things are progressing well.”  Crabtree recently resumed running and has been catching passes off to the side of practice.  It sounds like the 49ers are aiming for a Week 11 or 12 return for Crabtree.  It'd be another couple weeks before we could trust him in fantasy.  He remains a long shot to be a fantasy asset this season.  

The 49ers believe WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles) has a "strong chance" to return late this season, according to insider Matt Maiocco.  "Talking to the doctor, and talking to Michael, (I) feel very good about where he is right now," Harbaugh said.  "(I) wouldn't categorize it as 'ahead of schedule' because he's just starting now to start moving on it. It's been just healing so far. But it looks great. That's the words of the doctors.  We're optimistic there. Michael did a tremendous job, post-surgery. He stayed in town and did not leave and did not travel. He did everything he was being asked to do. They say it looks great."  Crabtree will be placed on the PUP list and then be eligible to be activated anytime between Week 7 and Week 13.  Being ready by Week 13 seems like the best-case scenario.  We're still not expecting Crabtree to make a 2013 fantasy impact.

49ers WR Michael Crabtree will start his rehab today.  He tore his Achilles exactly 6 weeks ago.  Expected to be sidelined at least another 4.5 months, Crab won't be back until very late in the season -- if he gets on the field at all.  Don't bother with him in your redraft fantasy league.  Dynasty leaguers should stash him and hope he returns to pre-injury form in 2014.

49ers HC Jim Harbaugh says the team does "not anticipate that [WR Michael Crabtree's torn Achilles] will be season-ending."  Harbaugh also revealed that Crab's Achilles was "completely torn and completely repaired"  Doctors deemed the surgery a success.  Still, the best-case scenario here is a 6-month absence.  That has Crabtree out until mid-November -- or somewhere around Week 11.  Even a return then wouldn't make him very useful in fantasy.  Crabtree would figure to need a few weeks to work back into a significant role.  And would you really trust him in the fantasy playoffs?  He remains just a late-round flier in deep drafts this summer.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that doctors who examined WR Michael Crabtree's injured Achilles last night believed he'd be sidelined for 6 months.  ESPN's Chris Mortensen passes along that Crab has already had surgery.  That 6-month timeline is likely to change as he begins working through the rehab process.  As we mentioned, Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas was sidelined 7 months with his torn Achilles.  The fact remains that Crabtree will miss most -- if not all -- of the 2013 season.  He'll only be worth a late-round flier in deep fantasy leagues.

49ers WR Michael Crabtree went down with what's believed to be a torn Achilles in OTAs on Tuesday.  He's undergoing additional tests to confirm.  If the Achilles is torn, it would cost Crabtree most -- if not all -- of the 2013 season.  We saw Terrell Suggs return from the same injury in just a few months last year, but it's tougher for receivers, who are constantly starting and stopping.  Demaryius Thomas was back on the practice field 7 months after tearing his Achilles in 2011.  That timeline would have Crabtree out until mid December.  It's a major blow to San Fran's passing game. Crab broke out with an 85-1,105-9 line last year.  He saw 34% of Colin Kaepernick's throws.  That's a massive hole to fill.  Free-agent addition Anquan Boldin can help pick up the slack.  TE Vernon Davis' role should grow too.  And the 'Niners need to get more out of 2012 1st-rounder A.J. Jenkins.  Mario Manningham is still around, but he's recovering from last year's torn ACL.  San Fran will need to rely even more heavily on its ground game in 2013.  That means more work for Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James.  Kaepernick could take on a bigger rushing role too.  We'll have our projections for all the 49ers up on the site in just a few weeks!

Why did 49ers WR Michael Crabtree finally break out with QB Colin Kaepernick under center after struggling for 3-and-a-half seasons with QB Alex Smith?  Crabtree says it's simply about trust.  "I think [Kaepernick] trusted me more," Crabtree said. "Playing wide receiver, you need a quarterback who trusts you."  The numbers certainly back that up.  In his first 51 career games, Crab averaged 7.1 targets.  But with Kaep under center for the final 10 games of 2012 (including playoffs), Crabtree saw an average of 9.4 looks.  He racked up 61 catches, 880 yards and 8 TDs over that span.  That extrapolates to a 98-1,408-13 line over 16 games.  Those are top-3 fantasy numbers.  He'll have a new competitor for targets in WR Anquan Boldin this year -- and TE Vernon Davis' role should grow -- but Crabtree will carry WR1 upside in 2013.

The San Francisco District Attorney announced that sexual assault charges will not be filed against 49ers WR Michael Crabtree.  A thorough investigation was completed into an incident that occurred at a hotel the night of the Niners' playoff win over the Packers.  One women accused Crabtree of assault, but two others in the room said no assault occurred.  It's a non-issue moving forward.  Crab has 8 distraction-free days to prepare for the Super Bowl.