"last year" isn't "earlier in the year".
Tell us how Crowder was better "earlier in the year" (4 games, 6 of 13, or 46%, catches for 60 yards)--be specific. I'll help you by pointing out that McKenzie caught 15 passes for 153 yards in those same 4 games.
While you're working on that, tell us how Crowder, on IR, in addition to "earlier in the year", is "still better" than McKenzie.