It’s no secret that the best version of the San Francisco 49ers over the past several seasons has typically featured the best version of sixth-year wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
Injuries and illness have played a part in keeping Samuel from looking like the superstar receiver that the 49er Faithful are familiar with.
Samuel dealt with a calf injury during Weeks 3 and 4. Then, it was a wrist injury combined with pneumonia-like symptoms that landed Samuel in the hospital prior to Week 8. An oblique injury had Samuel’s status up in the air against Tampa Bay in Week 10, too.
After catching just one pass for 21 yards on four targets during the 49ers’ 38-10 loss at the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, reporters asked San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan whether or not Samuel had the necessary burst to deliver his typical production.
“I think he has the burst that he needs. He didn’t get a lot of opportunities last night. He had a pretty good kick return that I thought would’ve changed the huge momentum of the game. Unfortunately, it got called back with that holding call.
“I thought he had a good screen. And then the two plays he’s got to do, he’s got to catch both of those balls, and if he catches both of those balls, he’s got a chance to do what he’s good at after that and run with it. And he didn’t get that opportunity because he didn’t catch both those balls. So, if he does, then that would be two more opportunities,” Shanahan said.
Shanahan also made sure to point out that it wasn’t just Samuel that struggled in San Francisco’s worst-ever loss to the Packers.
“And as far as anyone, we didn’t get anybody going in that game. We weren’t consistent and we didn’t participate very much in the first half and the second half with those turnovers and everything just killing our drives. I think we had a total of 50-something plays but we really weren’t able to stay out there consistently enough to get any player going,” Shanahan said.
In addition to protecting the football and extending drives, a good bill of health for starting quarterback Brock Purdy’s right shoulder could help reverse San Francisco’s fortunes in a hurry.
Igniting Samuel’s production during the stretch run of the season will be paramount to the 49ers’ playoff hopes as well, though.
Thus far in 2024, Samuel has 34 grabs for 511 receiving yards with one touchdown reception. The 6-foot, 215 pound receiver also has 27 carries for 79 rushing yards with one score on the ground as well.
Currently in the midst of a two-game losing streak, San Francisco (5-6) returns to action on Sunday, Dec. 1 at Buffalo (9-2). Kickoff is set for 5:20 p.m. PT from Highmark Stadium with the game set to air on NBC.
