JANUARY 26: After getting in multiple practices this week, Samuel is a go for the NFC title game. The fifth-year standout will not carry an injury designation into the Lions matchup, after practicing fully Friday. This ensures the 49ers will have their four skill-position pillars available as they aim to book the eighth Super Bowl trip in team history.
JANUARY 23: Deebo Samuel did not exactly come into the season with doubts existing about his talent, but his absences have revealed plenty about the 49ers’ offense. The team struggled after its versatile weapon exited the game during the first quarter of its latest Packers playoff matchup.
The 49ers lost three games while playing their starters this season; Samuel missed 11 of the 12 quarters in those losses. Samuel suffered an injury to the same left shoulder he hurt in October, but Kyle Shanahan confirmed (via ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner) the fifth-year wideout did not sustain a fracture (he sustained a microfracture in the shoulder in October).
Samuel has a chance to play in the NFC championship game, ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds. Shanahan added Samuel only sustained a shoulder injury Saturday night, despite being initially checked for a concussion. With it being too early to determine Samuel’s practice status, Schefter indicates the $24MM-per-year player is 50-50 to play against the Lions.
Samuel’s shoulder injury likely prevented the 49ers from joining the Air Coryell Chargers, the 2004 Colts and a few others in the exclusive club with three 1,000-yard pass catchers. Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle eclipsed 1,000 this season; Samuel finished with 892. The South Carolina alum added 225 rushing yards and five TDs. Samuel’s impact can be felt more on a per-play basis; in the regular season, Wagoner notes the 49ers averaged 7.1 yards per play with the former second-round pick on the field and 5.7 when he was sidelined.
Initially injuring his shoulder in the first quarter of a Week 6 loss to the Browns, Samuel was also sidelined for ensuing losses against the Vikings and Bengals. The 49ers rallied once Samuel (and left tackle Trent Williams) returned to action, ripping off a seven-game win streak that secured them home-field advantage.
Although the 49ers still have Aiyuk, Kittle and Christian McCaffrey available, Samuel being back obviously represents a major variable in the team’s chances of returning to a Super Bowl. No. 3 wideout Jauan Jennings‘ role expands greatly sans Samuel. With Samuel a tossup to play in this game, however, it would appear a near-certainty he would be able to return if San Francisco advances to Super Bowl LVIII.
I think Baltimore is the best overall team left. Purdy missed a ton of passes last week, & Detroit’s D can be had. KC is always a threat, but weren’t even all season.
It was POURING RAIN!!! So sick of hearing this! Everyone that threw a damn ball had problems ! We will see this weekend when it’s nice!! Glock13 gonna light that $@& up
Purdy and the 9ers the team that needs everything perfect.
Everyone must be healthy.
Weather must be perfect.
or it’s whining time.
What about the Baltimore game? No rain there….
Four of the three Purdy int’s were tipped. Even still they had a chance. I’ll bet money if(when in my opinion) they meet in the bowl that won’t happen again
Purdy threw balls that disappeared off the TV screen. Even the announcers were speechless!
Uh, Lamar is a glorified running back who couldn’t throw a deep pass to save his life. Purdy dropped in two perfect deep passes in the rain. Your takes are awful.
Baltimore is not the best team, not by a long shot.
Lamar will have 2 MVP awards after the season. May want to rethink that. Talk about awful takes.
An Deebo is a RB that does not run real routes, whats the point.
Ravens beat the 9ers and the weather was good…or was the time too late and that is another Niner excuse.
ummmmmmm…Deebo is a WR.
An Lamar is a QB soo
Baltimore has beaten teams with winning records by 14 points or more 7x in the regular season. Baltimore is the best team, by a long shot.
They already pasted the Texans. KC is next.
He’s not playing. I think it’s just gamesmanship to make the Lions have to prepare for him.
It’s been said multiple places that he’s got a chance to play. He may or may not, but if he can injure it further, he needs to stay out until the super bowl anyway
I think he may play just because Gardner Johnson before the season talked about him being a rb and he doesn’t run routes…which is kind of true. I am sure he wants to go at him.
CJG invented that rivalry in his head, and Twitter. Niners win without Samuel, but I’m sure they feel better if he’s playing
Niners win 31-20
1975 was the last time the Lions won in San Francisco (13 losses there since). Detroit had starters in that game now aged 83 (Larry Hand) 78 (Lem Barney) and were led by QB Joe Reed (now aged 76). I’ve no dog in this fight but as a senior myself, I’d like to see those old time veterans get a bit of satisfaction from the outcome of the game Sunday.