"Niners wide receiver Michael Crabtree isn't talking to the media until he's healthy, but the sight of his left foot Monday suggested he's taken a significant step in his recovery from his undisclosed foot injury.

Crabtree walked into the team's locker room without a noticeable limp or the orthopedic boot that had been on his left foot since at least the start of training camp. Crabtree, who had surgery after sustaining a stress fracture in the same foot prior to the 2009 draft, was injured in early June during the 49ers' first players minicamp at San Jose State.

Crabtree rode an exercise bike during part of practice Monday, but offensive coordinator Greg Roman did not offer a timetable for his return."