:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13533791/137011549.0.jpg)
I woke up this morning in Australia to some of the worst news we could have received. Michael Crabtree has torn his achilles tendon and is out around 6 months. Doing the math shows that he could come back late in the year. Terrell Suggs suffered a similar injury and came back in time to be a non-factor in Baltimore's run to the title. It's going to take a minor miracle for him to produce anything of value this year.
Talking value to the team, and there are few players whose absence would have a bigger impact. Colin Kaepernick, of course, sits atop the pack, even more so with the trade of Alex Smith. Aldon Smith and Justin Smith could be argued to have more value to the team. But even the likes of Patrick Willis and Frank Gore, if they missed time, can be replaced due to depth at their position and other capable fill-ins. That's just not the case at wide receiver.
I've seen a fair bit of optimism on Twitter and around the web. Examining the position group leaves us with a lot of question marks and an instant and absolute need for growth and production from some younger players who have yet to do much. Anquan Boldin is a solid No. 2 receiver who will now be the No. 1. The only guy on the roster who qualifies as a No. 3 receiver is Mario Manningham but he's slow to recover from his own leg injury suffered late last year. Kyle Williams was an average No. 4 receiver who is also recovering from injury. A.J. Jenkins had no success last year as a No. 5 receiver in his rookie campaign. And Quinton Patton is a rookie. Each of the last two will need to step up more than previously anticipated.
Another option for step-up-ness in the passing game is Vernon Davis. A return to being the number one option in the passing game from VD seems like the easiest route to passing success. We have a lot of weapons in our offensive arsenal so it's not the end of the world, but we've lost the biggest threat we've had in the passing game in the last decade right after his arrival on the big stage. To the links...
And...sorry they're late and a bit unsorted. I was running late from work, but with the quantity of links and the magnitude of the days news, I felt it was important to get them all up, even if late....OK...now to the links.
Michael Crabtree's Injury
Crabtree to have possible season-ending achilles surgery (Branch)
Harbaugh says Crabtree's torn achilles is not season ending (Gin)
Kaepernick, players react to Crabtree's injury (Inman)
Crabtree's season doomed (PFT)
Harbaugh transcript: "We do not anticipate that it will be season ending" (Inman)
How it Affects 49ers
49ers can't rest hopes on potential late-season return by Crabtree (BASG)
49ers options as Michael Crabtree has surgery (Sando)
What do the 49ers do without Michael Crabtree? (Mercury News)
With Crabtree injury, who steps in for 49ers? (Kawakami)
Michael Crabtree's injury has 49ers' passing attack reeling (NFL.com)
Crabtree injury leaves Harbaugh with three options (Ratto)
49ers all in on 'next man man up' philosophy (CSN)
Replacing Crabtree is not a one man job (Maiocco)
Moving on from Michael Crabtree (49erswebzone)
Six ramifications from Crabtree's injury (SF Gate)
Ramifications of Crab's Injury
Michael Crabtree's injury and the NFC West race (Sando)
Go-to guy: Michael Crabtree by the numbers (Sando)
Crabtree's injury could loom large in competitive NFC West (SI.com)
Speculation About Replacements
Crabtree injury could open door for Randy Moss, others (PFT)
Randy Moss not an option, Jim Harbaugh says (NFL.com)
Niners mum on plans to replace Crabtree (PFT)
Other News
49ers sign LS Kyle Nelson; cut P Anthony Santella (Branch)
49ers OTA notes: Day 2 (Gin)
49ers stadium under construction (NBC)
Colin Kaepernick's play hard to predict, Jed York says (NFL.com)
Niners keep finding gold nuggets (NBC)
WR Quinton Patton becomes 6th of 11 draft picks to sign (Inman)
LaMichael James looks to spark 49ers in 2013 (49ers.com)
Matt Maiocco's chat transcript (5.22.13) (Maiocco)
Coach's notebook: May 22 (49ers.com)
Colt McCoy shines at 49ers OTAs (49ers.com)
Practice notes: Attendance intrigue; Kaepernick looks solid; Chris Culliver gives up TD (Inman)
Rookie Patton talks 'big brother' Crabtree, Kap's fastball (CSN)
Being a Sheep
Be sure to follow @NinersNation on Twitter as well as on Facebook. You can follow SB Nation Bay Area on Twitter @sbnbayarea and also on Facebook.
If you're new here, you can register for a free account to participate in the discussion and create your own fanposts here at Niners Nation and across our entire network of 300+ sports blogs.