49ers receiver Michael Crabtree remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list. If he’s not activated by Saturday, he’ll remain there for at least six weeks.
And since he hasn’t been activated yet, he can’t practice with the team. On Monday, he almost did.
Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports that Crabtree, who was not in uniform, caught 20 passes during warm-ups from quarterbacks Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, Josh McCown, and McLeod Bethel-Thompson. One pass was thrown by former NFL quarterback -- and current 49ers coach -- Jim Harbaugh.
It continued until G.M. Trent Baalke walked onto the field, presumably to inform Harbaugh of the niceties of the PUP rules.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told Maiocco via e-mail that the league is reviewing the situation. “We are looking into it,” Aiello said. “We appreciate Trent Baalke contacting our office to report what happened. Our understanding is that it occurred during warm-ups and that Michael Crabtree did not participate in practice.”
In 2008, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning participated in at least one walk-through practice while still on the PUP list. It’s unknown whether the Colts received any punishment from the league office.