49ers promote WR Chad Hall from practice squad

The San Francisco 49ers have promoted wide receiver Chad Hall from their practice squad, according to CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman. Hall has been inactive for each of the 49ers' games this season, and spent the previous two years with the Philadelphia Eagles. For his career, Hall has 14 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown.

Though the team hasn't made an announcement, the thought is that Hall's promotion to the active roster could be a sign that wide receiver Michael Crabtree will not be available for the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. Crabtree is currently being investigated in connection with a sexual assault incident last weekend in San Francisco. He has not been arrested or charged with any crimes, but remains under investigation by San Francisco police.

The team had previously said that the investigation would not affect Crabtree's availability for the game on Sunday, but it's possible that something may have changed. The 49ers would miss Crabtree against the Atlanta Falcons, as he's had a breakout year in 2012. He finished the regular season with 85 catches for 1105 yards and nine touchdowns.

Update 8:21 p.m. ET:

Despite original speculation that the move to promote Hall to the active roster had t do with Crabtree's alleged incident, Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reports that the decision was one that the 49ers had to make and that it is likely unrelated to Crabtree. According to Maiocco, the 49ers had to fill the vacant spot on their 53-man roster with Hall to avoid cutting the receiver, by rule, due to the fact that he's been on the practice squad.

For more on the Michael Crabtree situation, check out our 49ers blog, Niners Nation .