49ers: WR Michael Crabtree questionable for preseason opener

WR Michael Crabtree spoke to the media for the first time since the end of the 2011 season Tuesday and seemed surprised by a series of questions about a calf injury that kept him out of seven practices early in training camp.

Responding to the notion that it was another training camp cut short, Crabtree said:

"How short was it cut this year? A week? I'm sure a lot of guys go through that, right?"

Entering his fourth NFL season, the two-time Biletnikoff Award winner at Texas Tech has yet to play in a preseason game. It was due to a contract dispute in his rookie year, a neck injury the next and a foot injury last season.

After missing seven practices in eight days, Crabtree returned to camp Sunday in a limited roll. He was more involved Monday and was nearly a full participant in Tuesday's practice, only sitting out the final session of the day.

Asked if he expected to play in the 49ers' preseason opener against Minnesota on Friday, Crabtree said: "I should. I don't think the ones are going that much Friday."

OC Greg Roman said it would probably be a last-minute decision.

Crabtree caught 72 passes for 874 yards and four TDs in the regular season last year before being held to five catches for 28 yards in two playoff games.

Follow 49ers reporter Kyle Bonagura on Twitter: @CBSSportsNFLSF and @KyleBonagura.