49ers' Crabtree expects to play in opening preseason game

San Francisco 49ers">49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree was responsible for two bits of news Tuesday.

First of all, he spoke to the media, which is news because he hadn't spoken to the media since January.

Second, when he spoke he confirmed to Comcast SportsNet Bay Area that he has been bothered by a strained right calf muscle since July 27, but expects to play in the 49ers' opening preseason game against San Diego on Friday. "I don't know too much about injuries," Crabtree told CNSBA."You'd think I would. It's always something different in football. It was just my calf, and I just had to stay off it. I didn't want anything serious to happen to it. It's the training staff and coaches, and when they tell me I can go, I'm going."

Crabtree had missed seven practices, but he was back on the practice field on Monday. He participated in all drills on Tuesday and said he had no problems with his calf.

Crabtree is entering his fourth NFL season, but he has never played in a preseason game. His contract holdout kept him out of action until October of his rookie season, and injuries sidelined him in 2010 and 2011 during the preseason.

Crabtree is expected to be a starter at wide receiver, but the 49ers added Randy Moss and Mario Manningham during the offseason.

-- The Sports Xchange