Associated Press
SANTA CLARA, Calif. ó The San Francisco 49ers won’t comment on an online report Thursday that top draft choice Michael Crabtree is willing to hold out the entire season.
ESPN.com quoted Crabtree’s cousin and adviser, David Wells, as saying that Crabtree is prepared to sit and re-enter the NFL draft next year.
The 49ers on Thursday released a statement saying that the team does not negotiate in the media. “In our view, there have been open and positive conversations on both sides,” the statement says.
San Francisco took the wide receiver with the 10th overall pick this year.
When quarterback Alex Smith was told about the report, he shook his head.
“I haven’t spoken to him since the summer,” said Smith. “It’s something I haven’t thought about to tell you the truth. We’re pretty focused on the guys we have here right now. I’m not worried about it.”
If Crabtree does show up, he’ll do so having missed all the OTAs and a growing chunk of training camp. “As a rookie, you’re already behind the eight ball,” Smith said. “You’re just trying to catch up, all the timing that goes with it and trying to know your position, it’s hard.”