"San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh said Sunday that "it's possible" wide receiver Michael Crabtree, recovering from a broken foot, could return to practice this week.

Crabtree, however, is still unlikely to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the San Diego Chargers, and his status for the regular-season opener Sept. 11 against the Seattle Seahawks also is unknown.

According to a source, Crabtree fractured his left foot during a player-run practice in San Jose on June 6. Crabtree had surgery on the foot before the start of training camp and was placed on the physically unable to perform list, where he remains.

Crabtree already has suffered a stress fracture to the same foot. That injury was discovered during the scouting combine in February 2009.

The following month, Crabtree underwent a surgical procedure during which a screw was inserted into the foot.

It's not known whether the recent surgery also included the insertion of a screw."