Michael Crabtree Out 10 Weeks with Injury; Needs Surgery

by Joel Thorman on Feb 21, 2009 11:22 AM CST in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Draft

Though it's never a good time for a stress fracture in your foot, two months before the NFL Draft is a tough break for Michael Crabtree. Per Adam Schefter:

The injury and surgery is expected to sideline Crabtree for at least 10 weeks, jeopardizing his NFL pro day, which now is expected to be cancelled, and raising questions about when he will be healthy again. But doctors believe that with the precautions the All-American wide receiver is willing to take, Crabtree will be sufficiently recovered in time for training camp this summer.

According to Schefter, it is a slight stress fracture in his left foot that will require surgery to insert a screw.

10 weeks would put his availability somewhere around the date of the NFL Draft on April 25th.

He wasn't planning on running the 40 yard dash at the Combine so, while this definitely hurts his stock, we really weren't planning on seeing much from him at the Combine. He has, however, canceled his pro day which may make a team like Seattle with the 4th pick in the draft think twice about him without getting a closer look.

Crabtree is an interesting prospect for the Chiefs at the third pick but I never really thought we would seriously consider him. This injury, combined with reports that he's actually closer to 6'1" than 6'3", will definitely hurt his stock.

But will it be enough to push him to the bottom half of the top 10?

H/T to Lanier63, 3rd Coast Chief and Texas Chief in the FanPosts.

UPDATE: Per Schefter, Crabtree will put off surgery until after his March 26th pro day at Texas Tech. This means that he WILL run the 40 yard dash on that day because he's not feeling any pain in his foot.

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NFL Network says Terrell Owens has the same surgery in his left foot

Also, the panthers last year drafted Jonathan Stewart RB with the 13th pick overall; Stewart with the same injury and scenario.

So there’s still hope for the kid. Just not a #3 overall.

by ChiefDog on Feb 21, 2009 11:26 AM CST reply actions

This is too bad for Crabtree

I can’t really recall a player who lost so much through those medical evaluations.

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris Thorman on Feb 21, 2009 11:34 AM CST reply actions

His draft number just dropped (I know,....duh)

I think second or maybe late first. With as many picks as Detroit has, it wouldn’t surprise me if they got him.

I’m not as interested in him anymore. Makes me wonder how well he’ll be able to endure the rigors of training/game play in the NFL.

Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."

"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.

by THE_TRUTH on Feb 21, 2009 11:34 AM CST reply actions

I don't think he will drop that far

The guy has talent, there is no question.

I really think the height measurment is going to hurt him FAR more than the stress fracture in his foot. NFL players get injured all the time and bones heal. Coaches and GMs know this. There is enough tape on him coming out of college though, for talent evaluators to get a good idea of his value in the draft.

I can see him dropping to between 7-15, which is closer to where a WR should be picked anyway. Good chance the Seahawks still pick him up at #4.

by ChiefDJ on Feb 21, 2009 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

+1

This will drop his stock in some GM’s minds — but not enough to make his pick # drop much. I’m guessing it’s better than 50/50 he’s gone by Seattle still.

current Chiefs roster + 1 premiere LB FA + Crabtree + defensive draft = CONTENDAHS

"at least we don't need a punter"

by nayjevin on Feb 21, 2009 6:02 PM CST up reply actions

I think Crabtree drops from the 4th pick to Seattle, to the 4th pick to Seattle.
Anyone else diggin Max Unger?

by SayHeyWerd on Feb 21, 2009 12:19 PM CST reply actions

he is not gonna drop far if at all

the injury is not that serious and he is making the right decision. Look at what jonathan stewart did after the same situation last year. i don’t think something like this can even remotely replace the things he has done and can do on the field.

by KCCheeze on Feb 21, 2009 12:30 PM CST up reply actions

Max Unger

He might not make it out of the first round, but you never know. Since the Chiefs are the 2nd pick in Round 2 he might fall right in our laps .

blu

by blu43 on Feb 21, 2009 12:58 PM CST up reply actions

Who Cares

Football players get injured he will be fine and taken at the same spot either 4,5 0r 6

South Side D

by doriang03 on Feb 21, 2009 12:30 PM CST reply actions

$$$

That’s all, they’re all in a huff about Andre Smith too, both will be effective NFL players they’re just both gonna have to settle Navigators instead of Maybachs.

Neither was a good #3 fit for the Chiefs in our opinion but they might turn into steals if the jefes trade down.

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Feb 21, 2009 12:33 PM CST reply actions

I don't think his stock will drop much at all.

The only thing this changes is that he probably won’t work out at Tech’s Pro Day, but that isn’t that big of a deal, really.

Just about anyone else in the Draft, and yeah, this hurts them. But when you’re Michael Crabtree, and you have the past two seasons as awesome examples, missing one Pro Day and having one stress fracture shouldn’t effect you. Unless the injury has a high chance of recurring again, which I highly doubt, it shouldn’t effect anyone’s opinion of him.

Same with the height. If people thinks he looks like he’s 6’3" on the field, that’s all that matters. Who cares his actual height.

It’s about the player, folks. Not about two inches or a stress fracture. He’s still the same, exact player that set records. Lots and lots of records. And won the Biletkinoff Award twice.

by rockchalk on Feb 21, 2009 12:42 PM CST reply actions