Opposing wide receivers have rare talent, but both have struggled with injuries

Highly touted young wide receiver, former first-round draft choice, hampered by continuing injury issues. Sound familiar?

The 49ers' Michael Crabtree?

Correct.

But ditto Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys.

Both hope to play when the Cowboys visit San Francisco this afternoon, but neither is expected to be at his thoroughbred best.

Bryant, 22, has been hampered all week by a left thigh bruise suffered while returning a punt early in the Cowboys' season opener against the Jets. He did not practice all week. Still, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones indicated Bryant would play against the 49ers.

Bryant offered a tantalizing seven minutes against the Jets. That came on the heels of a 2010 rookie season ended by a broken right ankle. He totaled three receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown before the injury last week. He didn't catch another pass in the remaining seven-eighths of the game.

How he feels is a mystery. He chose not to speak to the media during Cowboys locker room interview sessions all week.

Crabtree, 24, caught one pass in the 49ers' season-opening win over the Seattle Seahawks. It went for 4 yards. His problem was simply more of the same.

His twice-broken left foot is hurting again. Surgery in July apparently did little to quell a lingering pain that has been all too familiar since his college days.

"It's not totally healed, but it's good enough for me to go out there and play," said Crabtree, who managed to practice all week despite the pain.

Here's a more positive link between Crabtree and Bryant. The Texas-born receivers are friends, having spent time together when they were heralded college players. Dallas-born Crabtree played at Texas Tech. Lufkin's Bryant played at Oklahoma State.

They got to know each other at postseason award ceremonies.

"He's like my bro," Crabtree said via conference call with Dallas-Fort Worth reporters. "He's like my little brother. I'd talk to him in a minute."

As he walked through the Cowboys locker room, Bryant offered a simple nod when asked if he remained close to Crabtree. It was his last word on the subject.

Highs and lows

Michael Crabtree's first two seasons with the 49ers fell below expectations. He was the 10th overall pick in the 2009 draft, the second wide receiver drafted. Feeling slighted that less-heralded Darrius Heyward-Bey was taken three picks ahead by the Oakland Raiders, Crabtree held out for more money than Heyward-Bey. He missed training camp and the first five games of the 2009 season.

Still, Crabtree caught 48 passes and scored two touchdowns. But 2010 was hardly a breakout season. He caught 55 passes for 741 yards and added six touchdowns. Those numbers proved disappointing.

For all his potential, Bryant, who slid to the 24th pick of the 2010 draft because of perceived off-field baggage, had only 45 catches in his injury-shortened rookie season. He amassed 561 yards and six receiving touchdowns to complement two touchdowns on punt returns.

First-year 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh is supportive of Crabtree. He said he believes the wide receiver will live up to the lofty expectations that accompany a top-10 pick in the draft.

"I think he's got the athletic ability, the speed, the hands — tremendous hands," said Harbaugh, a former NFL quarterback who is considered an offensive guru. "He's got a football mind. He's got a big heart and desire to do those things. I not only believe it, I would caution everybody that thinks to bet against it."

Harbaugh was simply echoing Cowboys coach Jason Garrett's words when Garrett was asked this week about his own injured wide receiver. Garrett, however, sounded a bit frustrated that Bryant didn't practice this week.

Bryant "loves to play and wants to get himself out there," Garrett said. "Now, unfortunately, he has some injuries since he's been here — some serious, legitimate injuries that he's had to fight through, and he'll continue to learn how to fight through those in practice and get himself out to practice and get himself as ready as he can be come game time."

There is one link that Crabtree and Bryant no longer share.

Both were mentored by Dallas' David Wells, a former bail bondsman who invited them into his home after they finished their college careers and waited for their NFL careers to begin. Wells accompanied both to the NFL draft.

Bryant followed Crabtree in staying in the guest bedroom of Wells' home in DeSoto.

Crabtree said he has cut all ties with Wells, who is his cousin. Bryant, who is not related to Wells, remains friendly with him.

Wells said he has no hard feelings and had nothing but good things to say about both.

"They are good kids," he said before correcting himself. "No. They're good men. They have the same ultimate goal. They both want to win a championship ring. I pray they both stay healthy enough to get there."