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49ers Michael Crabtree on recovery: ‘It’s been a roller coaster’

Mario Manningham sustained tears to two ligaments in his left knee on Dec. 23. Five months later, Michael Crabtree underwent surgery for a torn right Achilles tendon.

The top 49ers wide receivers from last season are on similar timetables to return to action this season for an offense that ranks No. 32 in the NFL in passing yards.

Manningham is expected to make his season debut on Sunday when the 49ers face the Carolina Panthers. Crabtree is on pace to join him on the playing field within weeks.

“It was hard in the beginning,” Crabtree said of his injury, which occurred during organized team activities in May. “I just took it one day at a time trying to come back. The day I got hurt was the day I was (starting to try) to come back ... It's been a roller coaster."

-- Matt Maiocco, CSNBayArea.com