San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel will be back on the football field this weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles. In June, he suffered a Jones fracture. Samuel had hoped to return by Week 1 but was placed on short-term injured reserve and missed the season's first three games. He started practicing this week.
"Deebo will play," head coach Kyle Shanahan informed reporters on Friday. "He had a real good week of practice, and I plan to get him in there. [I'm] excited to see him out there."
Don't expect Samuel to instantly become a significant weapon for quarterback Nick Mullens. Shanahan plans to be cautious with his star second-year receiver. Before Wednesday, Samuel hadn't even practiced since the week leading to Super Bowl LIV.
"We definitely have to be smart with him," Shanahan said. "I wouldn't say that there's a pitch count, but Deebo was our starting receiver last year. He earned that early in the year, and he kept it that way most of the year. Definitely had a good finish.
"I don't expect him to be like that on Sunday. It is his first time back. We've got to be smart with that. You see a lot of these injuries around the league and stuff. That's kind of what happens when you don't go through the totally normal process of an offseason.
"... We've got to be strong with him. I know he'll be out there, but it won't be his normal role, that's for sure."
Shanahan added that he could feel a different vibe out on the practice field with Samuel participating this week.
Also returning is tight end George Kittle, who suffered an MCL sprain and a bone bruise during the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals.
"They're two great playmakers on this football team," Mullens said of Samuel and Kittle on Friday. "Even getting on the practice field this week, you're quickly reminded about their speed. They're so fast in every practice rep, in every game rep, and we're going to love to have their speed, physicality, and mindset back on the field this week.
"I'm pumped for those guys that they're finally healthy."
