The San Francisco 49ers have announced that Michael Crabtree might start in their upcoming game against the Houston Texans. Now, at the beginning of the season this might not have been such interesting news: after all, this is Michael Crabtree we’re talking about, widely considered the best wide receiver in college football the past two years, and a player who some considered to the best player in the entire 2009 draft. Prior to the beginning of the season, it would not be surprising to see him in the starting line up. Indeed, it would perhaps be expected.

Coming a quarter of the way into the season, though, it is very interesting news.

Crabtree held out until early October – he was, by a very long way, the last rookie to sign with his team – signing 5 games into the campaign. And the 49ers have been looking good, too. They’re off to their most successful start in a while, beginning the season 3-2, and they currently sit atop the NFC West. Josh Morgan, whose spot Crabtree will be taking, has had some success, too.

The team is coming off a bye week this week, and their players have been allowed to travel home to be with their family – all except Crabtree, who remains at the practice facility getting up to speed with the offense. And poor old Morgan has had to stay behind to help him learn the position. He is literally teaching the man who has walked in and taken his position.

A low blow, perhaps. And an interesting move all together: it shows other players that you can hold out and not suffer any consequences. But then, it is Michael Crabtree we’re talking about here. He is one of the most explosive, prolific and hyped players to come into the league since Reggie Bush.

I think if I were Mike Singletary, I would play him too.