HEADLINES

Deebo Samuel

49ers To Activate Kittle, Gould From IR

November 5th, 2021 at 3:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers will have some key players in uniform Sunday against the Cardinals. George Kittle and Robbie Gould will come off IR before Saturday’s roster-setting deadline, Kyle Shanahan said Friday.

Kittle has been down because of a calf injury. The All-Pro tight end attempted to play through the issue in Week 4, but the 49ers opted to shut him down the following week. Gould’s activation became fairly clear after the 49ers waived fill-in Joey Slye earlier this week.

Since signing his big-ticket extension last year, Kittle has struggled to stay on the field. He missed time because of a knee sprain and a fractured foot last season. Those injuries limited Kittle to eight games in 2020. He has missed three thus far this year. This will help a passing attack that may be without Deebo Samuel.

Battling a calf injury, Samuel is questionable for Week 9. Shanahan said his top receiver’s injury worsened this week, via the San Jose Mercury News’ Cam Inman (on Twitter). The 49ers missing Samuel would be rather significant, given his dominance to start the season. Samuel has 819 receiving yards, topping Jerry Rice‘s through-seven-games franchise best. Samuel, of course, joined Kittle on the injury front last season. He missed nine games in 2020.

Shanahan added Jeff Wilson has a chance to make his season debut in Week 9. Previously given a late-November return timetable, Wilson has “kind of taken off,” in his recovery from a foot injury as of late, Shanahan said (per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, on Twitter). The 49ers re-signed the veteran running back this offseason, but he suffered the injury over the summer.

49ers To Shut Down Raheem Mostert, Deebo Samuel; George Kittle Return In Play

December 22nd, 2020 at 4:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Raheem Mostert and Deebo Samuel will see their injury-marred seasons end early. The 49ers are shutting down both players with two games to go, Kyle Shanahan said (via the San Jose Mercury News’ Cam Inman).

Both ran into multiple injuries this year, causing the second-year starters to miss significant time in what became a widespread injury-plagued 49ers season. Each player is under contract beyond this season, with Samuel’s rookie deal running through 2022 and Mostert’s pact expiring after next season.

The 49ers, however, are not opting to shut down all their injured skill-position talents. George Kittle has returned to practice, and Inman notes the All-Pro tight end is on pace to return against the Cardinals. Kittle, who has not played since suffering a foot fracture Nov. 1, would catch passes from his former college quarterback if he does return. The 49ers will start Iowa alum C.J. Beathard over Nick Mullens on Saturday.

A 2017 third-round pick, Beathard has worked as San Francisco’s third-string quarterback for much of his NFL tenure. His contract expires at season’s end. Mullens suffered what is believed to be ligament damage in his elbow against the Cowboys, Inman notes, and will likely need Tommy John surgery. He is due to be a restricted free agent in March.

Kittle will only play if he’s 100%, per Shanahan, who noted the 49ers will not shut down their star tight end if he is fully healthy — despite having been eliminated from playoff contention last week.

Mostert left Sunday’s game because of ankle trouble. The special-teamer-turned-RB1 sustained an MCL sprain in September and injured his ankle upon returning in October. Mostert, 28, was not able to surmount the latter malady. Mostert did end a second straight season averaging at least 5.0 yards per carry, however, though he only managed 104 totes this season. Samuel sustained a foot fracture before training camp but was able to return fairly early in the season. However, a hamstring injury hampered Samuel shortly after he returned. The 2019 second-round pick caught 33 passes for 391 yards over seven games this season.

Jimmy Garoppolo will resume practicing this week, but Shanahan said (via Inman) he would be surprised if doctors deem San Francisco’s QB1 100%. It is likely Beathard will handle the 49ers’ final two starts at quarterback. A high ankle sprain sidelined Garoppolo at multiple junctures this season. He played in just six games. Shanahan said last month the plan is for Garoppolo to return as the team’s starter in 2021, though the franchise will surely explore other options this offseason. Two years remain on Garoppolo’s contract, one the 49ers can move without incurring much dead money.

49ers To Activate Sherman, Mostert From IR

November 27th, 2020 at 4:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers will have two key starters back in Week 12. Kyle Shanahan said Friday the team will activate Richard Sherman and Raheem Mostert ahead of the 49ers’ game against the Rams.

While the duo will be questionable to play Sunday, their respective activations point to the 49ers having both in uniform for the NFC West matchup.

Sherman has missed almost all of his 10th NFL season, going down with a calf injury in Week 1. Week 12 served as the All-Pro cornerback’s tentative return date, and he will end up hitting that for a team in desperate need of starters to come back.

The Hall of Fame candidate is in the final weeks of his three-year 49ers contract. Sherman and the 49ers were working on an extension, but no progress on those talks has emerged in months. How the 32-year-old corner looks upon returning from his latest injury figures to be key for his 49ers future.

Mostert went down in the 49ers’ first game against the Rams, suffering a high ankle sprain. The late-blooming running back already sustained an MCL injury this season, but after recovering from that fairly quickly, Mostert took longer to return from this malady. He stands to return to a 5.9 yards-per-carry figure and enter a key stretch. The 49ers have Mostert under contract for 2021, but his durability has certainly come into question this season.

The injury-besieged 49ers will have top wideout Deebo Samuel back in action. The second-year receiver has missed time with a hamstring injury and has also endured a two-injury 2020, having missed months because of a fractured foot. Samuel practiced fully Friday and is off San Francisco’s injury report. The 49ers, per ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner (on Twitter), are also activating running back Jeff Wilson. During a brutal year for San Francisco’s backfield, Wilson played well before suffering a high ankle sprain against the Patriots. Tevin Coleman remains out.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/6/20

November 6th, 2020 at 4:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Friday’s minor moves:

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

49ers’ Kendrick Bourne Tests Negative

November 6th, 2020 at 12:01pm CST by Zachary Links

49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is now eligible to return. After his COVID-19 positive on Wednesday, Bourne has received two consecutive COVID-19 negatives (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). In addition, fellow wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel have also been the greenlight, along with left tackle Trent Williams. 

Bourne was one of several 49ers players held out of Thursday night’s game due to protocols. Playing shorthanded, the Niners lost 34-17. Bourne’s latest results seem to point to a false positive on the first test, and his camp is predictably miffed.

“It’s frustrating because Kendrick has been really responsible with everything,” agent Henry Organ said. “He’s taken COVID-19 very seriously. It’s not a joke to him.”

Through eight games this year, Bourne has caught 25 passes for 352 yards and one touchdown. His last outing was his best yet — Bourne registered eight grabs for 81 yards against the Seahawks, making the most out of his ten targets.

With their roster largely restocked, Bourne and the 49ers will turn their attention to the Saints, following their bye week.

49ers Rumors: Pettis, Samuel, RBs, Reed

October 28th, 2020 at 6:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here is the latest out of San Francisco. More injuries have cropped up for the 49ers, causing them to alter a previous strategy. But the 4-3 team received good news on the health front as well.

  • Dante Pettis looks to be off the trade block. The 49ers lost Deebo Samuel and Richie James to injuries during their win against the Patriots, and Kyle Shanahan said the team is now no longer likely to trade Pettis, via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News (on Twitter). Shanahan previously confirmed the team was trying to deal the 2018 second-round wideout, who has fallen out of favor after showing flashes as a rookie. Pettis may receive another chance soon. The ex-Washington Husky standout has played sparingly on offense and special teams this season but has not caught a pass in nearly a year.
  • As for Samuel, he is set for another multiweek absence. The second-year receiver suffered a hamstring strain that will keep him out of Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. Shanahan expects his No. 1 wideout to miss San Francisco’s Week 9 game against Green Bay as well. Samuel has not enjoyed much time to build on his strong rookie season, with this hamstring setback coming after he missed a few months because of a foot fracture.
  • While Jeff Wilson became the latest 49ers running back to go down, the team received good news regarding one member of its backfield. The 49ers designated Tevin Coleman to return from IR Wednesday, opening the door to the veteran back playing in Seattle after a six-week absence. Should Coleman return, the 49ers will only be down two backs — Wilson and Raheem Mostert. The 49ers also designated Jordan Reed and K’Waun Williams to come off IR. The team has three weeks to activate its IR-DTR players.
  • The fifth of San Francisco’s running backs to see time this season, JaMycal Hasty, opted to stay in San Francisco despite offers to leave. Three teams expressed interest in poaching Hasty off the 49ers’ practice squad, per agent Scott Casterline, but the rookie UDFA preferred to stay and wait for an opportunity with a team that has been known to use running back committees under Shanahan, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area notes. Hasty, now on the team’s 53-man roster, has averaged 5.2 yards per carry in three games.
  • Before signing offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom to their practice squad, the 49ers also brought former Bears starter Ted Larsen and ex-Dolphins first-stringer Evan Boehm for workouts. The 49ers, who are expected to be without starting center Weston Richburg until perhaps Week 12, lost replacement Ben Garland recently.

49ers Activate Deebo Samuel From IR

October 3rd, 2020 at 3:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Deebo Samuel is on track to be in action Sunday night. The 49ers are activating their No. 1 wide receiver ahead of his earliest possible return date.

Samuel suffered a Jones fracture in his foot in June, underwent surgery and landed on IR to start the season. While Kyle Shanahan has said the second-year wideout is working his way back into game shape, it appears he will have a role Sunday night against the Eagles.

Like the Eagles, the 49ers have been decimated by injuries. Samuel’s return will come in a game that will feature both Jimmy Garoppolo and starting running back Raheem Mostert inactive. But San Francisco will have its top two pass catchers — Samuel and George Kittle — in uniform.

Samuel broke out down the stretch last season, emerging as a dominant run-after-catch player for the 2019 NFC champions. He will work with Nick Mullens on Sunday night, with the 49ers’ QB2 set to make a second start.

The 49ers, however, placed two more key cogs — Dee Ford and Jordan Reed — on IR this week. That list has become quite crowded, though the 49ers have won two blowouts — over the struggling New York teams — amid this run of injury misfortune.

Injury Notes: Baker, Thomas, Hunter

September 27th, 2020 at 8:52am CST by Rory Parks

Cardinals star safety Budda Baker is playing through a torn UCL in his thumb, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports. Baker plans to play in Arizona’s game against the Lions this afternoon and then undergo surgery this week. Although the same injury sidelined Saints QB Drew Brees for six weeks last season, Baker obviously does not have to throw the football and believes he will miss only the Cardinals’ Week 4 contest against the Panthers before returning to the field to take on the Jets in Week 5.

Now for more injury-related news regarding a few of the league’s high-profile players:

  • There has been a great deal of talk about Brees’ struggles early this season, but the Saints‘ signal-caller may soon have his top target back. Wide receiver Michael Thomas has looked good in workouts and is eyeing a Week 4 return, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
  • The Vikings need a boost on both sides of the ball, and they are clearly missing DE Danielle Hunter. As Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network tweets, Hunter, who is dealing with a herniated disc in his neck, is eligible to come off IR next week but is unlikely to be ready to return by then. However, he is regaining strength, and the team remains optimistic that he will be back this season.
  • Titans WR A.J. Brown is dealing with a bone bruise in his knee, and the injury is a significant one, according to Schefter (via Twitter). Brown’s knee has not responded as well to treatment as the team had hoped, and he might end up missing more than just this afternoon’s game against Minnesota.
  • More difficult news for Tennessee. Titans CB Adoree’ Jackson is eligible to come off IR this week, but Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com hears that Jackson may not be sufficiently recovered from his knee injury for that to happen (Twitter link). It’s unclear how much additional time the 2017 first-rounder will miss.
  • 49ers WR Deebo Samuel is likely to return to practice this week, as Rapoport notes (via Twitter). Samuel will be eased into action, and while he probably won’t play in Week 4, the Niners’ top wideout is expected back for the team’s Week 5 bout with the Dolphins.

49ers To Place Deebo Samuel On IR

September 12th, 2020 at 3:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Deebo Samuel‘s return from a fractured foot will be on hold. The 49ers are placing their No. 1 wide receiver on IR, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

The second-year wideout, who underwent surgery after a Jones fracture in June, will miss at least the season’s first three games. The 49ers had held out hope he could play this week. Instead, they will be without him until Week 4.

Samuel came off the 49ers’ NFI list last week, providing optimism for his early-season availability. So this is a bit of a setback on that front. Samuel suffered the injury in mid-June, and with a roughly three-month recovery timetable — at minimum — the possibility always existed he would miss time to start the season.

The 49ers would likely not have made this move a year ago, but with the COVID-19 pandemic prompting the league to adjust its IR rule, they can have Samuel back by Week 4. Under the 2019 rule, Samuel would have needed to miss at least eight games if placed on IR. Teams can also return an unlimited number of players from IR this season.

This continues the 49ers’ unstable year at wide receiver. They lost Emmanuel Sanders in free agency and placed Jalen Hurd on IR. The 2019 third-round pick is set to miss a full season for a second straight year. Brandon Aiyuk is questionable for Sunday with a hamstring injury. The team signed several veteran wideouts during training camp but is not carrying any of them on its active roster. San Francisco’s healthy wideout contingent consists of Kendrick Bourne, Trent Taylor, Dante Pettis and Richie James. Taylor missed all of last season with a foot injury.

Samuel resides as San Francisco’s top non-George Kittle option in the passing game. The South Carolina product showed tremendous run-after-catch chops as a rookie and contributed in the run game frequently. The 49ers’ schedule, however, does not look particularly difficult to start out. They will be without Samuel for games against the Cardinals, Jets and Giants.

 

49ers Plan To Activate Deebo Samuel From NFI List

September 5th, 2020 at 1:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers may have their top wide receiver ready to go in Week 1. They are planning to activate Deebo Samuel from the non-football injury list ahead of the regular season, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area tweets.

This will make Samuel eligible to suit up against the Cardinals in Week 1. Samuel has been recovering from a fractured foot for multiple months.

The Jones fracture Samuel suffered in June put the early part of the season in question for the second-year wideout. Should San Francisco have Samuel back in action against Arizona, it will represent a significant win for the defending NFC champions — who have been beset with injuries at wide receiver this summer.

Samuel has not practiced fully yet but has made progress in recent weeks. He became one of the more successful rookie wideouts in recent memory, being a yards-after-catch maven during a 57-catch, 802-yard season.

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