49ers' Deebo Samuel: Struggles in championship game loss
Rotowire
Samuel caught three of six targets for 33 yards and rushed six times for a loss of nine yards (one fumble lost) in Sunday's 31-7 playoff loss to the Eagles.
Samuel's production fell off quickly in this contest after starter Brock Purdy injured his throwing elbow in the first quarter. With no threat of a passing game for much of the contest, Philadelphia's defense was able to sell out and blow up the dual-threat superstar in the backfield routinely, resulting in his worst rushing performance to date. Samuel finished the year with 864 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns across 13 regular-season games. The 27-year-old's overall numbers came back down to Earth following his standout 2021 season, most notably his 11.3 yards per catch, which marked a new low for his career. Samuel will hope for better health for both himself and whoever starts under center for the 49ers in 2023.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Clear to play Sunday
Rotowire
Samuel (ankle) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Philadelphia, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The 49ers capped Samuel's reps both Wednesday and Thursday due to an ankle issue, but after a full session Friday, he'll available to the offense this weekend. The team's top running back, Christian McCaffrey (calf), also was cleared ahead of Sunday's contest, while backfield mate Elijah Mitchell (groin) is questionable after getting in some minimal work Friday. If Mitchell is limited or out Sunday, Samuel could mix in at RB a bit more than usual, but he still should be good for his recent workload, which has resulted in 10 catches and seven carries in San Francisco's two playoff victories to date.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Another limited practice
Rotowire
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Samuel (ankle) will be limited at Thursday's practice, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Shanahan said prior to Wednesday's session that Samuel and running backs Christian McCaffrey (calf) and Elijah Mitchell (groin) wouldn't take part in drills. Samuel eventually did so and was listed as limited, which he'll maintain one day later, while both McCaffrey and Mitchell will remain sidelined. There's an expectation that all three players will be available for Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Philadelphia, but Samuel could be poised for a bit more work out of the 49ers backfield if McCaffrey and/or Mitchell are at all limited.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Officially limited Wednesday
Rotowire
Samuel (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com earlier Wednesday that the 49ers' primary backfield options -- Christian McCaffrey (calf), Elijah Mitchell (groin) and Samuel -- wouldn't mix into drills to kick off prep for Sunday's NFC Championship Game at Philadelphia. While McCaffrey and Mitchell weren't seen during the open portion of Wednesday's session, Samuel was present and took part in some individual work, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. There's a chance Samuel maintains practice limitations Thursday and Friday as a precautionary measure, but his ankle issue doesn't appear as if it'll affect his availability this weekend.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Nursing ankle injury
Rotowire
Samuel won't practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Samuel played 60 of the 49ers' 66 offensive snaps during the divisional-round win over Dallas, but he failed to make any splash plays as the offense was stymied by the Cowboys' athletic defense. The star wideout didn't appear to have gotten injured at any point during the contest, so his absence from practice Wednesday due to the ankle issue may just be maintenance-related after he missed Weeks 15 through 17 with an ankle sprain as well as an MCL sprain. Assuming Samuel is able to get back on the field for practice in some capacity by Friday, he should be in good shape to play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Eagles, per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Produces 56 yards on eight touches
Rotowire
Samuel had four receptions (seven targets) for 45 yards and rushed for 11 yards on four attempts in Sunday's 19-12 playoff win over Dallas.
Samuel was unable to reproduce the gaudy totals from his impressive wild-card performance as San Francisco's offense was finally stymied with Brock Purdy under center. The dual-threat wideout still led all receivers in touches and targets, but he wasn't able to break off one of his signature big-splash plays. Samuel and the 49ers will head to Philadelphia for the NFC Championship Game next Sunday.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Goes off for 165 yards
Rotowire
Samuel corralled six of nine targets for 133 yards and a touchdown while adding 32 rushing yards on three attempts in Saturday's 41-23 wild-card win over the Seahawks.
Samuel showed no ill effects from the lower-body injuries he suffered late in the regular season, torching the opposition for a season-high 133 receiving yards. The dual-threat superstar did suffer a minor injury scare when Johnathan Abram grabbed and twisted his previously injured ankle after a play was whistled dead, but he missed only one down before returning to the field and closing out the game. Samuel and Christian McCaffrey (136 combined yards) spearheaded head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive gameplan, and that figures to remain a constant in the upcoming divisional round.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Eased back in with three touches
Rotowire
Samuel (ankle/knee) caught two of three targets for 20 yards and rushed once for four yards in Sunday's 38-13 win over the Cardinals.
Samuel returned from a three-game absence due to injury, and he was understandably eased back into action with just three combined touches in a comfortable win. The dual-threat superstar finishes the regular season with 864 combined yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns across 13 games. Samuel should be in line for his usual workload for the upcoming playoff schedule after shaking off the rust in Week 18.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Returning for Week 18
Rotowire
Samuel (ankle/knee) has no injury designation for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Samuel will make his first appearance since suffering an MCL sprain and ankle sprain Week 14. His normal workload isn't assured for the Week 18 game, but it's certainly possible given that he's been practicing since last Thursday.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Falls back to limited practice
Rotowire
Samuel (ankle/knee) was limited in practice Thursday.
One day removed from logging all activity at Wednesday's session, Samuel fell back to a capped practice as he continues the later stages of his recovery from a sprained left MCL and left ankle sprain that he picked up Week 14 versus the Buccaneers. He did relay to David Lombardi of The Athletic on Wednesday that he's "not going to risk myself" ahead of the postseason, and that if he's "not 100 percent ready to go," he won't press his luck. The 49ers' final Week 18 injury report thus may be telling for Samuel's availability for Sunday's contest against the Cardinals. Another absence from the fourth-year pro would set up fellow wide receiver Jauan Jennings for an elevated role alongside Brandon Aiyuk.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Logs full practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Samuel (ankle/knee) was a full practice participant Wednesday.
Samuel has missed three games in a row due to a sprained MCL in his left knee and a left ankle sprain that stems from getting injured during the second quarter of a Week 14 win against the Buccaneers. Wednesday's uncapped session follows the wide receiver capping Week 17 prep with two straight limited practices, so he's on the precipice of a return to action. Assuming he's out there Sunday against the Cardinals, Samuel could get a bit more work out of the 49ers backfield with Christian McCaffrey sitting out Wednesday's session due to a sprained ankle and with Elijah Mitchell (knee) have just initiated his practice window to return from injured reserve.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Won't return this week
Rotowire
Samuel (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Las Vegas, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Samuel will miss a third straight game even after returning to a limited practice Thursday. He reportedly didn't do much Friday, suggesting he's no lock to make it back Week 18 against the Cardinals, though the dual-threat wideout at least seems to be on track for the playoffs.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Not doing much at practice
Rotowire
Samuel (knee) didn't appear to do much during the early portion of Friday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Samuel worked out Wednesday and returned to a limited practice Thursday, sparking some hope he might return for Sunday's game in Las Vegas. Wagoner believes Samuel is more likely to come back Week 18, though at that point it might only be a in a limited role to warm up for the postseason if the 49ers don't have much left to play for in terms of seeding. In any case, Samuel hasn't yet been ruled out for Week 17 and could perhaps still push for a 'questionable' designation on the final injury report if he looks good in practice.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Returns as limited participant
Rotowire
Samuel (knee/ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Samuel was spotted on the practice field during the media-access portion of Thursday's session catching passes during individual drills, per Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area. The activity was enough for Samuel to go down as limited and also fulfill coach Kyle Shanahan's sentiment that the wide receiver may be able to take part in the second practice of Week 17 prep. It's unclear if Samuel has a chance to suit up Sunday at Las Vegas, but Friday's injury report could include questionable next to his name, making his status one to continue to watch as the weekend approaches.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Returns to practice
Rotowire
Samuel (knee) was spotted on the field for the open portion of Thursday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Samuel hasn't logged any recorded practice activity since spraining his left knee and ankle in a Dec. 11 win over Tampa Bay, but he looks poised to go down as either a limited or full participant on the 49ers' second Week 17 injury report, which will be released later Thursday. Samuel looks like he'll have a chance to put an end to a two-game absence and suit up this Sunday in Las Vegas, but his availability for that contest will be contingent on how he fares in practice Thursday and Friday.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: May practice Thursday
Rotowire
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Samuel (knee/ankle) has a chance to return to practice Thursday, depending on how his on-field workout goes Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
On Monday, Shanahan told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area that Samuel would make an effort to mix into drills this week, and now it may happen as early as Thursday. It's unclear if Samuel will have enough time to prove the health of his sprained left knee and ankle ahead of Sunday's game at Las Vegas, but his status bears watching in the coming days to get a sense of his potential to do so.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Chance to practice this week
Rotowire
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Samuel (knee/ankle) may return to practice later this week, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Samuel has missed back-to-back games on account of the sprained left MCL and ankle that he sustained back in Week 14. It's unclear if he has a chance to suit up Sunday at Las Vegas, but the extent of his on-field work once he mixes into drills may provide some insight into his potential to play this weekend. The 49ers will post their first injury report of Week 17 on Wednesday, at which point the team will have a basis for Samuel as he goes through the later stages of his recovery. With Samuel sidelined, Jauan Jennings has taken on a much larger role alongside Brandon Aiyuk at wide receiver.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Spotted jogging Thursday
Rotowire
Samuel (knee/ankle) didn't participate in Thursday's practice but was seen doing some jogging and running off to the side during the media-access portion of the session, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Samuel will be sidelined for a second straight game this Saturday against the Commanders, but based on where he currently stands in his recovery from a left MCL sprain and a left ankle sprain, he looks as though he'll have a chance to make it back for the 49ers' Week 17 game against the Raiders on Jan. 1. In order to put himself in consideration to play in Las Vegas, Samuel will presumably need to prove his health during the 49ers' trio of practices next Wednesday through Friday. While Samuel is out for the upcoming weekend, the 49ers will turn to Jauan Jennings and Ray-Ray McCloud to pick up snaps at receiver alongside Brandon Aiyuk.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Ditches walking boot
Rotowire
Samuel (knee) hasn't been cleared to practice and remains in line to sit out Saturday's game against the Commanders, but he was spotted Tuesday without a walking boot to protect his sprained ankle and without any brace on his injured left knee, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Samuel was sidelined for the 49ers' Week 15 win over the Seahawks with the two left leg injuries, which head coach Kyle Shanahan said Dec. 13 would likely keep the talented wideout sidelined for around three weeks. As a result, Samuel shouldn't be viewed as a realistic candidate to play until Week 17 in Las Vegas, and his status for that contest will be contingent on how his knee and ankle respond to practice activity. Even though the 49ers have already captured the NFC West title and may not have much at stake in Weeks 17 and 18, they would presumably still want to see Samuel get in some snaps in a game setting and build more rapport with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy before the postseason gets underway.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that he expects Samuel (knee/ankle) to return to game action in "three-ish" weeks, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.
Based on Shanahan's comments, the 49ers already seem to be ruling Samuel out for Thursday's game in Seattle as well as the team's Dec. 24 home game against the Commanders, but a Week 17 return at Las Vegas could be in the forecast for the talented wideout if he makes a quick recovery from the MCL sprain to his left knee and the left ankle sprain he sustained in Sunday's 35-7 win over the Buccaneers. San Francisco will likely be left with Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings and Ray-Ray McCloud as its primary options at receiver for the duration of Samuel's absence.
