Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers finally received some good news this week regarding one of their injured wide receivers. Mario Manningham, who tore his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee last season, is recovering well and has started running and making cuts on the field.

[Photo gallery of 49ers OTAs]

With the devastating news this week that Michael Crabtree will likely be out at least for six months because of a torn Achilles, hearing that Manningham has started running was encouraging. The offense will need Manningham now more than ever as Jim Harbaugh looks for the next person on the depth chart to step up to replace Crabtree.

Manningham was injured late last season before going on injured reserve. The irony here is that after Manningham went down, Crabtree stepped up to become the offenses playmaker on the outside. Now the roles are reversed with Manningham, if he recovers to 100%, possibly becoming the playmaker on the perimeter again.

Before Manningham went down with his injuries, he posted 42 receptions for 449 yards and one touchdown. He also dealt with shoulder injuries early last season which caused him to miss the game in Week 7. The wide receiver has shown dedication in his recovery as he has been rehabbing all offseason at 49ers headquarters. This allows the Niners medical personnel to monitor his recovery up-close and make sure he returns to the field at 100% sooner, rather than later.

There is no timetable as to when he will be able to rejoin the team on the practice field.

Manningham on his rehab:

I have started and running cutting and doing little things. When you have knee injuries, you can’t really take any time off. Every time I think about it, I’m trying to do something with my knee. I’m not rushing it but I am going hard on my knee.

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Internet and social media always seems to find a way to make light of serious situations to give people a laugh. That was certainly the case regarding 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree suffering a torn Achilles on Tuesday.

Twitter user @FauxJohnMadden posted a picture of Crabtree’s iPhone and the text messages he received after news spread of his injury:

Even though the picture is obviously not real, upon seeing it I immediately laughed because it’s hilarious. My favorite “text” is from Alex Smith. At this point, when it comes to Crabtree’s injury all you can do is laugh.

Here are some additional tweets from @FauxJohnMadden about Crabtree’s injury:

BREAKING:Michael Crabtree tears Achilles tendon; Jim Harbaugh has already ignored 28 calls from Terrell Owens.

— Faux John Madden (@FauxJohnMadden) May 22, 2013

BREAKING:Jim Harbaugh reacts to news of Michael Crabtree’s injury.– bit.ly/10mPYHb

— Faux John Madden (@FauxJohnMadden) May 22, 2013

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The past 48 hours have been a whirlwind for San Francisco 49er fans as we come to terms with Michael Crabtree’s torn Achilles. And the possibility he might be out for the whole season.

After suffering and undergoing surgery on Tuesday for his torn Achilles, Crabtree responded via his Twitter and Instagram accounts:

I go hard for my friends family and fans, just felt like I let everybody down.. But I’ll be back ready!! I promise! #yungcrab

— Michael Crabtree (@KingCrab15) May 22, 2013

Here is a picture Crabtree posted on his Instagram account:

On Wednesday, Jim Harbaugh spoke with the media after the news broke that Crabtree underwent surgery for his injury. Below is video of the interview, but the highlight was Harbaugh responding to who will replace Crabtree. He said,

We feel like someone is going to emerge there.

Harbaugh knows his receivers better than anyone. So we should take his word that he will make sure a receiver currently on the roster will become dependable in replacing Crabtree. We are looking at you A.J. Jenkins…