SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Michael Crabtree caught 85 passes for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns with the San Francisco 49ers last season. Before that, his three-year career totals lined up with those for a player the 49ers signed amid injury concerns Friday.
2009-11 Crabtree vs. Collie
Austin Collie, who missed the 2012 season following knee surgery and has a history of concussions, joins the roster along with Lavelle Hawkins. Those two prevailed over a third receiver, Laurent Robinson, during a tryout at team headquarters, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
The chart at right shows 2009-2011 totals for Crabtree and Collie. Collie played a supporting role in the Indianapolis Colts' pass-oriented offense featuring Peyton Manning behind center during the first two seasons of that three-year window. He had 54 receptions for 514 yards and one touchdown in 2010, when Curtis Painter, Dan Orlovsky and Kerry Collins were the Colts' quarterbacks.
Collie had suffered four concussions since 2010 when he suffered a torn patella tendon during the 2011 season.
The 49ers have sought receiver depth after losing Crabtree to a torn Achilles' tendon. Their need at the position has grown critical during camp with five other receivers either limited or unavailable, including veteran Mario Manningham and 2012 first-round pick A.J. Jenkins.
Collie also tried out with the 49ers in June.
