Michael Crabtree cleared for practice return

The San Francisco 49ers have announced that wide receiver Michael Crabtree has been cleared to return to practice.

Crabtree has been out since May after tearing his Achilles during the 49ers' organised team activities.

The 26-year-old has now been given the go-ahead by doctors to begin practising with his teammmates ahead of their clash with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Jim Harbaugh will now have three weeks to determine if he will be activated off their physically unable to perform list to his side's 53-man roster.

The 49ers are 6-2 in their season going into week 10.