DALLAS -- First-round draft pick Michael Crabtree left for San Francisco from Tampa, Fla., on Monday to renew contract talks with the 49ers, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
Crabtree was unavailable for comment. The Dallas native and former Texas Tech receiver has been training in Tampa the past few weeks.
Eugene Parker, Crabtree's agent, is scheduled to arrive in San Francisco on Tuesday. Parker declined comment when reached.
Niners coach Mike Singletary said Monday that he would still like to have Crabtree play for the team this season.
"Any guy that can play and help us win, I would never say, 'No, we don't need him,'" Singletary said. "We need all the good football players we can get."
Crabtree, the 10th overall selection in April's draft, is the only unsigned first-round pick. He has missed the first four weeks of the regular season.
The 22-year-old Crabtree is seeking money comparable to higher picks and has turned down the 49ers' offer for approximately five years and $20 million, with a reported $16 million guaranteed.
The 49ers have until Nov. 17 to sign Crabtree in order for him to play this season. If Crabtree is not signed and he is not traded, he would go back into the April draft.
The 49ers (3-1) are in first place in the NFC West without Crabtree, but their offense ranks 28th in the NFL. San Francisco's passing game also ranks 28th, and none of the team's wide receivers rank among the league's top 50 in receptions.
Crabtree was unavailable for comment. The Dallas native and former Texas Tech receiver has been training in Tampa the past few weeks.
Eugene Parker, Crabtree's agent, is scheduled to arrive in San Francisco on Tuesday. Parker declined comment when reached.
Niners coach Mike Singletary said Monday that he would still like to have Crabtree play for the team this season.
"Any guy that can play and help us win, I would never say, 'No, we don't need him,'" Singletary said. "We need all the good football players we can get."
Crabtree, the 10th overall selection in April's draft, is the only unsigned first-round pick. He has missed the first four weeks of the regular season.
The 22-year-old Crabtree is seeking money comparable to higher picks and has turned down the 49ers' offer for approximately five years and $20 million, with a reported $16 million guaranteed.
The 49ers have until Nov. 17 to sign Crabtree in order for him to play this season. If Crabtree is not signed and he is not traded, he would go back into the April draft.
The 49ers (3-1) are in first place in the NFC West without Crabtree, but their offense ranks 28th in the NFL. San Francisco's passing game also ranks 28th, and none of the team's wide receivers rank among the league's top 50 in receptions.
