The 49ers by clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC gave themselves a unique opportunity to close the 2023 season. They could conceivably decide to rest some players the final week to give them some extra time off with the bye week already secured. However, it doesn’t sound like the team plans on resting much according to wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
Samuel in an appearance with Kay Adams on her show, ‘Up and Adams,’ said the team is viewing Week 18 as an opportunity to get better and stay in the flow of the season.
“You definitely want to keep the flow going, but you also want to give your body a rest,” Samuel said. “So I feel like we’ll play this game for a good bit just to keep the groove going and not take too much time off. I feel like we’re gonna be going this week and practicing hard, and continue to do the things we do.We just gotta keep building. We haven’t played our best ball yet so we just gotta continue to get better and better each day.”
This lines up with what head coach Kyle Shanahan has told reporters in two media appearances since their Week 17 game ended. He understands the value of rest and keeping the team’s top players out of harm’s way, but there’s also a need to continue playing and getting better to ensure the club is playing its best heading into the postseason.
Shanahan on Monday said he hasn’t made a decision on which starters will play and which ones won’t. Although running back Christian McCaffrey and defensive tackle Arik Armstead have already been ruled out. McCaffrey is dealing with a calf strain, and Armstead is working through knee and foot issues.
There may be other starters who wind up sitting out, but Samuel is confident he’s suiting up against the Rams on Sunday. When Adams asked if he’s playing, the 49ers All-Pro wide receiver didn’t mince words.
“Yeah, fa sho.”
