Deebo Samuel didn’t precisely come into the season with doubts about his expertise, however his absences have revealed loads in regards to the 49ers’ offense. The crew struggled after its versatile weapon exited the sport in the course of the first quarter of its newest Packers playoff matchup.
The 49ers misplaced three video games whereas enjoying their starters this season; Samuel missed 11 of the 12 quarters in these losses. Samuel suffered an harm to the identical left shoulder he harm in October, however Kyle Shanahan confirmed (through ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner) that the fifth-year wideout didn’t maintain a fracture (he sustained a microfracture within the shoulder in October).
Samuel has an opportunity to play within the NFC Championship Recreation, ESPN’s Adam Schefter provides. Shanahan added Samuel solely sustained a shoulder harm Saturday evening, regardless of being initially checked for a concussion. With it being too early to find out Samuel’s apply standing, Schefter signifies the $24M-per-year participant is 50-50 to play towards the Lions.
Samuel’s shoulder harm doubtless prevented the 49ers from becoming a member of the Air Coryell Chargers, the 2004 Colts and some others within the unique membership with three 1,000-yard go catchers. Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle eclipsed 1,000 this season; Samuel completed with 892. The South Carolina alum added 225 speeding yards and 5 TDs. Samuel’s influence may be felt extra on a per-play foundation; within the common season, Wagoner notes the 49ers averaged 7.1 yards per play with the previous second-round choose on the sector and 5.7 when he was sidelined.
Initially injuring his shoulder within the first quarter of a Week 6 loss to the Browns, Samuel was additionally sidelined for ensuing losses towards the Vikings and Bengals. The 49ers rallied as soon as Samuel (and left sort out Trent Williams) returned to motion, ripping off a seven-game win streak that secured them home-field benefit.
Though the 49ers nonetheless have Aiyuk, Kittle and Christian McCaffrey out there, Samuel being again clearly represents a serious variable within the crew’s probabilities of returning to a Tremendous Bowl. No. 3 wideout Jauan Jennings‘ function expands vastly sans Samuel. With Samuel a tossup to play on this recreation, nevertheless, it might seem a near-certainty he would be capable of return if San Francisco advances to Tremendous Bowl LVIII.
