Jets said to tamper with 49ers receiver

NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- The San Francisco 49ers accuse the New York Jets of tampering with holdout wide receiver Michael Crabtree, the New York Daily News reported Monday.

The newspaper said the Niners may believe the Jets could have contacted the agent for Crabtree, who was the 10th overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft.

It would not be the first time the Jets have been accused of tampering. In 2006, the New England Patriots claimed the Jets tampered with wide receiver Deion Branch but an NFL investigation cleared the Jets of wrongdoing.

Crabtree reportedly has threatened to sit out this season. If the 49ers don't sign him by Nov. 19, they would not be permitted under NFL rules to trade his rights until the 2010 trading period beginning March 5.