News & Info/Headlines

As USA Today's Mike Garafolo first reported, 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree suffered a torn Achilles tendon during organized team activities Tuesday and will soon undergo what could be season-ending surgery.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter are confirming the report, with Schefter adding that Crabtree will undergo further testing.

But it doesn't look good folks.

Indeed, as NFL.com's Dan Hanzus suggested, it's brutal news for the 49ers, who watched Crabtree bloom into a Pro Bowl-level receiver in his fourth season. Crabtree set career highs in receptions (85), yards (1,105) and touchdowns (9). His production took off after Colin Kaepernick replaced Alex Smith as starting quarterback.

The 49ers haven't commented on the injury, which used to be an automatic season-ender but has since become one that can sometimes be rehabbed in a matter of months -- as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers did last year.

Both players tore the tendon in the spring and returned to the field after starting the year on the physically unable to perform list.

According to Garafolo, that timetable seems to be a best-case scenario for Crabtree in 2013. The 49ers -- already thin at receiver as Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams recover from knee surgery -- have an early crisis on their hands.

Garafolo went on to suggest the Niners might consider bringing back Randy Moss, who hasn't yet retired. In March, the Niners picked up receiver Anquan Boldin in a trade with the Ravens, sending Baltimore third- and fourth-round draft picks.

Stay tuned. ... I'll be following up as needed. But for now, you'll want to knock Crabtree out of draftable territory on your rankings until we hear otherwise.