HEADLINES

Deebo Samuel

Bills, Steelers Interested In Deebo Samuel; WR More Likely To Be Dealt Than Brandon Aiyuk?

April 26th, 2024 at 8:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

8:10pm: The Steelers have also shown interest in Samuel, Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. He adds, though, that Pittsburgh was unwilling to meet San Francisco’s asking price in a trade. The 49ers’ receiver approach will remain a key storyline to watch with a notable market obviously existing.

Pittsburgh has, of course, long been considered a candidate to pull off a trade at the receiver spot. Dealing away Diontae Johnson created a vacancy in the starting lineup, and to date the team has focused on offensive line (rather than wideout) prospects in the draft. The Steelers may circle back to Samuel if the price were to come down, but in any case they will be a team to monitor.

12:55pm: Passing on a chance to upgrade their receiving corps late in the first round, the Bills have received some attention for being part of trades that allowed the Chiefs and Panthers to made wideout investments. The Bills may have a bigger name in mind.

Buffalo joins New England in being interested in Deebo Samuel, according to the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi. The Bills are in dire need at the position, having traded Stefon Diggs and having let Gabriel Davis walk (to the Jaguars) in free agency. Samuel appears a live candidate to be moved, even as Brandon Aiyuk trade talks took place Thursday night.

Samuel was also part of that pre-draft report, and Giardi adds it is now more likely the 49ers move the versatile playmaker than Aiyuk. This would make sense given Aiyuk’s age and superior durability; the 2020 first-round pick is two years younger than Samuel, who turned 28 earlier this offseason. But Samuel is tied to a $23.85MM-per-year contract that runs through 2025. Aiyuk is on a fifth-year option, and an acquiring team would likely need to prepare an extension.

The Patriots discussed Samuel with the 49ers on Thursday, but the team held onto both its wideouts. John Lynch said post-draft a trade should not be ruled out. The 49ers are believed to have asked for a mid-first-round pick for Aiyuk; nothing beyond a second-rounder came back in an offer. It is possible the team is now pivoting to a Samuel trade push, which comes two years after rumblings of a deal impacted the 49ers’ 2022 draft. The 49ers hung onto Samuel then, despite two notable offers (from the Jets and Lions), and extended him. As Aiyuk has proven worthy of a big-ticket extension, the team has a decision to make.

As the 49ers — with a Brock Purdy extension on the horizon — contemplate how to handle their increasingly complex WR situation, the Bills need impact players. In an AFC arms race that has seen the Chiefs separate over the past two years — despite Buffalo’s regular-season success at Arrowhead Stadium — the Bills have watched the Chiefs add Marquise Brown and first-rounder Xavier Worthy to their wideout group. The Bills dealt Diggs to the Texans. With Davis’ second contract coming from the Jags, the Bills are down to the likes of Khalil Shakir and UFA pickup Curtis Samuel. Samuel has proven to be in a much higher class.

Still, it will be interesting to see if the 49ers — given where their contention arc resides — bail on the Samuel-Aiyuk pairing a year before they have to. The team would have the option of franchise-tagging Aiyuk in 2025, though Samuel, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey will be in contract years by then. Rather than unloading Aiyuk now or contemplating a tag-and-trade transaction in an effort to keep the band together for one more season, the 49ers — who drafted Florida wideout Ricky Pearsall at No. 31 — are clearly exploring compensation options for a WR now.

The Bills hold the No. 33 overall pick, while the Patriots sit at No. 34. Buffalo also has its own second-rounder (No. 60). A second-rounder emerged as the prize in the Diggs trade; Samuel is more than two years younger. While Samuel earned All-Pro acclaim in 2021, he has one 1,000-yard season on his resume. The electric run-after-catch performer missed nine games in 2020, four in 2022 and two due to injury (leaving two more contests early) last year. Will the 49ers end up making a preemptive strike tonight?

Patriots, 49ers Discussed Deebo Samuel

April 26th, 2024 at 9:52am CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers may have gone deeper in trade talks involving Brandon Aiyuk, but Deebo Samuel‘s name emerged as available Thursday night as well. Potentially aiming to split up their long-running wide receiver tandem as costs on their offense escalate, the 49ers took calls on their starters.

While the Jaguars are a team known to have asked about Aiyuk, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports the Patriots engaged in discussions with the 49ers about Samuel. New England carries a WR need going into Day 2 of the draft, having missed out on Calvin Ridley in free agency.

Pats-49ers Samuel talks can be classified as preliminary, Anderson notes, and it is unclear what the team sought for the All-Pro weapon. The 49ers wanted a mid-first-round pick for Aiyuk, who is two years younger than his teammate. Aiyuk also profiles as a player an acquiring team would extend; Samuel is tied to a $23.85MM-per-year deal that suddenly looks team-friendlier based on the contracts given to Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown this week. Samuel’s 2022 extension runs through 2025.

A mid-April report indicated the 49ers were rebuffing Aiyuk trade inquiries, and an anonymous GM said if Samuel would be the player to instead depart, the defending NFC champs probably would have done so by now. Samuel, 28, is tied to base salaries of $20.9MM and $16.7MM through the ’25 season.

Aiyuk led the 49ers in receiving by a wide margin last season, but the team’s fortunes changed based on Samuel’s availability. The team went 0-3 in games of consequence (not counting Week 18) Samuel did not finish during the regular season and clawed its way to a comeback win over the Packers after Samuel left the divisional-round matchup with a shoulder malady. Aiyuk also has two 1,000-yard receiving seasons to Samuel’s one, though the latter has proven valuable in the run game as well.

The 2019 second-round pick has shown himself to be one of this era’s best run-after-catch players, though it would be interesting to see if the 49ers dangled him in deals — rather than the 26-year-old Aiyuk, who has been a more durable player as a pro — moving forward. San Francisco’s equation stands to change next year, with a Brock Purdy extension on the radar. This season may mark the end of the line for the Samuel-Aiyuk tandem, which has been in place since the latter came to the Bay Area as a 2020 first-rounder. The 49ers have since used another first-round pick on a wideout — ex-Aiyuk college teammate Ricky Pearsall.

The Patriots re-signed ex-49er Kendrick Bourne, despite his 2023 ACL tear, this offseason and added ex-Vikings slot K.J. Osborn. The team still appears to have a glaring need for a high-end wideout to pair with Drake Maye. The team’s JuJu Smith-Schuster deal did not pan out, and it submitted an offer Robert Kraft viewed as competitive with the Titans’ for Ridley, who signed a four-year, $96MM deal. De facto GM Eliot Wolf, however, said Tennessee’s proposal indeed outflanked New England’s. The Pats will go into tonight’s second round with clear needs at receiver and left tackle around their new prized QB investment.

49ers Discussing First-Round Trade Involving WRs Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel

April 25th, 2024 at 4:11pm CST by Adam La Rose

Plenty of speculation has surrounded Brandon Aiyuk recently, and that continues to be the case as the draft approaches. Fellow 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel could also find himself on the trade block.

San Francisco has discussed a move up the board in the first round – perhaps as high as the top 10 in the order – in a trade which would include either Aiyuk or Samuel, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports. Despite assurances from general manager John Lynch that the former is expected to stay in place, he will thus remain worth watching closely in the coming hours.

San Francisco is not believed to be close on extension talks with Aiyuk, who has publicly displayed his frustration with the lack of a long-term deal. Citing the similarities of his case to that of Samuel not that long ago, Lynch has offered public confidence the former first-rounder will be retained through the draft. Depending on the market which emerges, though, that could stand to change.

Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle confirms teams have shown interest in Samuel in addition to Aiyuk. The former is on the books for two more years, while the latter is set to play on his $14.12MM fifth-year option in 2024. Keeping Aiyuk in the fold on a major raise would be difficult given the implications of extending another skill-position player before quarterback Brock Purdy becomes eligible for a lucrative new deal of his own.

The 49ers currently own pick No. 31, and as such they could stand to benefit from a notable move up the board. Jumping into the top 10 would incur a major cost, but including Aiyuk or Samuel in any trade would of course create a notable vacancy in the team’s offense. It will be interesting to see how many teams set to pick early or in the middle of the Day 1 order are interested in adding an expensive veteran at the WR position.

Believed to be in the market for a receiver addition, the Steelers have been named as one of the teams which have shown interest in Aiyuk. The 26-year-old had a career year in 2023 (75,1,342-7 statline) and he is poised to remain a focal point on San Francisco’s offense if he remains in place. Whether or not that will be the case is once again a burning question as the draft draws near.

Deebo Samuel To Play In NFC Title Game

January 26th, 2024 at 4:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

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.

49ers LT Trent Williams, WR Deebo Samuel To Play In Week 10

November 12th, 2023 at 8:13am CST by Rory Parks

The 49ers will welcome back left tackle Trent Williams and wide receiver Deebo Samuel for the club’s Week 10 game against the Jaguars, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com subsequently wrote that Williams is facing an “uphill battle” to suit up, but Schefter doubled down on his earlier report and noted that while Williams is not fully recovered from his sprained ankle, he will be back on the field for the Jacksonville matchup.

Both Williams and Samuel were injured in the Niners’ Week 6 loss to the Browns, the first of three consecutive defeats that turned a 5-0 Super Bowl frontrunner into a 5-3 outfit facing plenty of scrutiny. While Williams was able to finish the Cleveland contest, he found himself in an orthopedic walking boot afterwards and was then sidelined for San Francisco’s next two games against the Vikings and Bengals.

Samuel, meanwhile, sustained a hairline fracture in his shoulder in the early stages of the Cleveland game and was unable to return. Like Williams, Samuel missed both the Minnesota and Cincinnati matchups. A well-timed Week 9 bye allowed the high-profile duo to sufficiently recover for today’s battle with the 6-2 Jags.

It is perhaps no coincidence that quarterback Brock Purdy has struggled without his top wideout for most of the last three games and his 10-time Pro Bowl left tackle for the last two. After throwing nine TDs and zero interceptions over the first five games of the season, a stretch in which he posted QB ratings of well over 100.0 four times, Purdy has thrown three TD passes against six interceptions during the 49ers’ losing streak. Obviously, the return of Williams and Samuel could go a long way in helping the 2022 seventh-rounder right the ship.

Williams may be in his age-35 season, but he is still playing at an elite level. The No. 4 overall pick of the 2010 draft has earned a stellar overall grade of 81.9 from Pro Football Focus for his work this season, which positions him as the fifth-best tackle among 77 qualified players. While the Oklahoma product suggested that he was considering retirement in the immediate aftermath of San Francisco’s NFC Championship Game defeat to close out the 2022 campaign, he said right before the start of the current season that he hopes to play until he is 40. He is presently under contract through 2026.

Samuel, a First Team All-Pro in 2021 who led the NFL in yards-per-reception rate that year, has 20 catches for 302 yards (15.1 YPR) and a score through five games and part of a sixth in 2023. The 27-year-old dual-threat weapon has added 18 carries for 95 yards and a rushing TD.

49ers’ Deebo Samuel Facing Multi-Week Absence

October 21st, 2023 at 5:22pm CST by Adam La Rose

After finishing their Week 6 contest without Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel on the field, the 49ers are set to be without at least the latter for the time being. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Saturday that Samuel is dealing with a hairline fracture in his shoulder and that he will miss a minimum of the next two games as a result.

San Francisco is set to play Minnesota on Monday to close out Week 7, followed by a home matchup against the Bengals. The 49ers then have their bye week, so Samuel’s next game will come no earlier than Week 10, giving the team plenty of time to determine their course of action with the 27-year-old. Another evaluation will take place after the bye week, Shanahan added.

Regardless of the length of Samuel’s absence, his injury will leave San Francisco without one of its highly versatile offensive weapons. The All-Pro has posted a 20-302-1 statline in the passing game to date, while adding 95 yards and another score on the ground. Today’s news adds to Samuel’s injury history, however, which has seen him miss time in each of his five seasons in the NFL.

Samuel was limited to seven games in 2020, his second campaign in San Francisco. Various ailments have popped up since then, though the South Carolina alum managed to play 16 games the following season and 13 last year. His lack of an extension last offseason led to a public trade request, but he ultimately signed a three-year, $71.55MM deal. Samuel failed to duplicate his 1,770 total-yard performance from the previous year in 2022, and this latest injury will hurt his production as well.

The 49ers also have wideout Brandon Aiyuk in place as a key cog in their passing game, as is the case for tight end George Kittle. That pair will assume a larger share of the 49ers’ targets on offense, while 2020 seventh-rounder Jauan Jennings (who has posted a 41% snap share this season) could be in line for an uptick in playing time. McCaffrey has been the subject of speculation for his Week 7 availability, but he practiced on Saturday and appears to be on track to suit up on Monday. Regardless of if that happens or not, though, Samuel will not be available for at least a short stretch.

NFC Injury Rumors: 49ers, Shenault, Knight

October 15th, 2023 at 8:13pm CST by Ely Allen

The 49ers saw two big offensive pieces suffer injuries in today’s loss to the Browns. Star offensive tackle Trent Williams had to leave the game for a bit with an ankle injury, while wide receiver Deebo Samuel was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury and didn’t return to the field.

Luckily, Williams, after sustaining a right ankle sprain, was able to return to play and stayed in for most of the remainder of the game. According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports, Williams was wearing an orthopedic walking boot after the game. It’s a good sign that he was able to return, so the boot is likely just to minimize movement and help get the healing process going for a return to play next week.

Samuel, on the other hand, after failing to return to the game, had X-rays done to determine if their was any bone damage in his shoulder. The X-rays were negative, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, but San Francisco still felt the need to hold Samuel out from further activity. He will undergo MRI scans tomorrow to determine if there is any further damage to his shoulder.

Here are a couple of other injury rumors from around the NFC:

  • Panthers wide receiver Laviska Shenault was carted off the field today in Miami with what appeared to be a leg or ankle injury. Augusta Stone, a team staff writer, later clarified that Shenault had suffered “a fibula injury.” The specification of the exact bone that was the focus of the trauma is not a great sign. At best, it sounds like Shenault could have suffered a painful bone bruise that could keep him off the field for a week or two. Mentioning the bone, though, could indicate a more severe injury like a fracture or even a break, which could necessitate a much longer recovery.
  • The Lions placed backup running back Bam Knight on injured reserve yesterday with their Week 6 transactions. Knight, who saw time as an undrafted rookie with the Jets last season after Breece Hall went down with a torn ACL, was brought to Detroit in order to fill in for an injured David Montgomery last month. Unfortunately, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the shoulder injury that sent Knight to IR will be a season-ending shoulder injury.

NFL Injury Rumors: Week 17 Updates

December 31st, 2022 at 7:56pm CST by Ely Allen

Updates to injury questions heading into the Sunday slate of games:

  • Cardinals star receiver DeAndre Hopkins will miss this Sunday’s game in Atlanta with a knee injury, according to the team’s final injury report. The injury seemed to appear from nowhere late this week and, with the Cardinals eliminated from playoff contention, it would not be a surprise to see Hopkins sit for the remainder of the season. Quarterbacks David Blough and Trace McSorley will have to rely on Marquise Brown, Greg Dortch, A.J. Green, Robbie Anderson, Pharoh Cooper, and recently promoted Andre Baccellia in the meantime.
  • The Commanders will have to face Cleveland tomorrow without running back Antonio Gibson, according to the team’s official Twitter account. With Gibson out due to an ankle sprain, Washington will likely continue to rely heavily on rookie starter Brian Robinson. Veteran running back Jonathan Williams will likely find himself in an increased role tomorrow, as will elevated practice squad back Jaret Patterson.
  • Despite returning to practice this week, 49ers star receiver Deebo Samuel is unable to play this weekend against the Raiders, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Rookie quarterback Brock Purdy will have at least one more week depending on the likes of Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud, tight end George Kittle, and running back Christian McCaffrey without Samuel. Head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated that there’s “a chance” Samuel will be able to return next week.
  • Buccaneers right tackle Tristan Wirfs reportedly aggravated his ankle injury last week against the Cardinals, but according to Jenna Laine of ESPN, Wirfs intends on playing regardless. Tampa Bay is also hoping to get starting left tackle Donovan Smith back for tomorrow’s game against the Panthers. If Smith does play, it will be the first time the two have appeared in a game together since a Week 12 loss to the Browns.
  • The Texans have confirmed that two starters are no longer in question to play this weekend as right tackle Tytus Howard and rookie left guard Kenyon Green are both expected to play against the Jaguars, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Howard had to clear concussion protocol in order to play this weekend and successfully did so. Green has missed Houston’s last two contests with an ankle injury but has reportedly improved considerably. Backup interior lineman Jimmy Morrissey was unable to clear concussion protocol and will be unable to play this Sunday.

49ers Aiming To Have Deebo Samuel, Elijah Mitchell At Practice This Week

December 26th, 2022 at 8:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kyle Shanahan offered a rare 49ers news development Monday: the team did not suffer a notable injury during its most recent game. In fact, the 49ers are hoping to have two of their key cogs back at practice soon.

Deebo Samuel has progressed to the point the team hopes he can practice as soon as this week, Shanahan said, and Elijah Mitchell is on track to make a quicker return from his second MCL sprain this year. The 49ers are eyeing a Friday practice for Mitchell, via the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch and ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner (Twitter links).

MCL sprains have provided trouble for the 49ers this season. Mitchell, Samuel and a few others have missed time because of this injury. Mitchell missed eight games because of the knee malady he suffered in Week 1. This time around, the timetable may not be as lengthy. Mitchell, who has gone from Week 1 starter to an often-used Christian McCaffrey backup, went down against the Saints late last month and has missed the required four games.

The 49ers designating Mitchell for return Friday would mean they can activate him as soon as Week 17 — an unlikely scenario — or as late as the divisional round, provided the team reaches that point. Even if the 49ers hold off on Mitchell playing this week or next, it appears he will be ready to return when the team begins its postseason slate.

Shanahan confirmed what has long been reported Monday; San Francisco’s final IR-return spot is being earmarked for Mitchell. The second-year running back has already returned from IR once this season, but an offseason rule change allows for the same player to be activated two times in a season. The other 49ers option here would be defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway, but Wagoner adds (via Twitter) Mitchell is closer to returning. Ridgeway has missed the past three games with a pectoral injury.

The 49ers did not place Samuel on IR, keeping the door open for an immediate return. The All-Pro wide receiver has missed the past two games with an MCL sprain and a sprained ankle. The 49ers did not seem as concerned about Samuel’s status compared to the likes of Mitchell or Azeez Al-Shaair, who also suffered an MCL sprain that sidelined him several weeks, indicating the recently extended pass catcher could return before the regular season ended. Samuel has missed the past two games. While Samuel (840 scrimmage yards) is not on the same pace he was in 2021 (1,770), he is a rare weapon that will bolster the team’s chances of reaching a second Super Bowl in four seasons.

Football Outsiders gives the 49ers (11-4) a 30% chance of leapfrogging the Vikings (12-3) for the NFC’s No. 2 seed. The 49ers have clinched at least the NFC’s No. 3 seed, though the second spot would put the team in position to play two postseason home games. A 49ers-Vikings tie would give San Francisco the 2 seed due to a superior conference record. The 49ers close the season with games against the Raiders and Cardinals; the Vikes travel to Green Bay and Chicago.

Additionally, Shanahan said Jimmy Garoppolo had his cast removed from his broken foot. Garoppolo is not on IR, but the 49ers do not expect him to return this season.

49ers Expect Deebo Samuel To Return In Regular Season

December 13th, 2022 at 3:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

DECEMBER 13: Shanahan expects Samuel to miss around three weeks, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets. Considering the trouble the 49ers have had with MCL sprains, a possible Week 18 return would represent a big victory for the team. The 49ers face the Seahawks, Commanders and Raiders over the next three weeks. They close the regular season with a home game against the Cardinals.

DECEMBER 12: Deebo Samuel will miss time for the 49ers, and an update Monday indicated the 2021 All-Pro is dealing with multiple injuries. But the team is expecting him to come back before the regular season ends.

The recently extended wideout/running back moonlighter suffered an MCL sprain and a sprained ankle, Matt Barrows of The Athletic tweets. While the 49ers have encountered extensive trouble with MCL sprains this season, it appears Samuel has run into a fairly mild one.

Kyle Shanahan mentioned Sunday this could be a high ankle sprain, but reports Monday have left the word “high” out of the equation. High ankle sprains can linger for several weeks, and the 49ers have seen MCL sprains sideline multiple players for more than a month this year — Elijah Mitchell, Azeez Al-Shaair, Colton McKivitz. Samuel suffering both an MCL sprain and a high ankle issue would seemingly threaten his playoff availability, so it certainly represents good news a regular-season return is expected.

Samuel has a history of significant injuries, having suffered a foot fracture during the 2020 offseason and later that year running into multiple bouts of hamstring trouble. While 2020 effectively turned into a lost season for Samuel (and other 49ers), he bounced back to play 19 games last season. Samuel, 26, zoomed to All-Pro status in 2021, providing tremendous help to the 49ers’ backfield in addition to his receiving duties. After a 59-carry 2021, the former second-round pick has logged 41 carries this year. He suffered the injury on a handoff up the middle.

The 49ers placed a considerable bet on Samuel this offseason, inking him to a three-year extension worth $71.55MM. This situation transformed in the team’s favor, after Samuel requested an offseason trade. He returned to the team and is pairing with fellow stars George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey in a rare three-All-Pro skill-position armada. Kittle and McCaffrey have extensive injury pasts as well, giving the 49ers risks to manage weekly.

San Francisco has lost Samuel and Jimmy Garoppolo over its past two games. The team is not expected to place Garoppolo on IR, due to the faint hope the veteran passer can return late in the playoffs and its IR situation having become complicated. Samuel should not be expected to land on IR, either, given the prospect he could return within the next month. The 49ers (9-4) are now up two games on the Seahawks in the NFC West. They already routed the surprising contenders in Week 2, when Garoppolo replaced an injured Trey Lance. A win Thursday would effectively lock up the division for San Francisco.

The 49ers also received good news on Brock Purdy, who battled through an oblique injury in Week 14. They are calling the rookie quarterback “day to day.” The team did lose defensive lineman Kevin Givens to an MCL sprain; Shahanan said the fourth-year contributor will be out a few weeks. Givens has worked as a starter in place of Javon Kinlaw, who remains on IR. The team has used the former as an 11-game starter this season.

An ex-UDFA, Givens has remained in the lineup since Arik Armstead‘s recent return. The 49ers are already down D-lineman Hassan Ridgeway; this Givens issue will further thin out their D-line interior. The team, which also lost veteran backup cornerback and special-teamer Dontae Johnson to an ACL tear, has maintained its No. 1 defensive ranking despite a spate of injuries. T.Y. McGill remains in the picture at D-tackle, but given the issues affecting Ridgeway and Givens, it should be expected the 49ers will make a move here soon.

Load More Posts