San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel was all smiles while speaking with reporters via Zoom on Wednesday. He is coming off his first game back after a lengthy rehab from the Jones fracture he suffered in June.
The good news is that Samuel feels good, all things considered, after his first in-game action since the Super Bowl.
"My foot was fine," Samuel said. "After a game, it's kind of a little sore because you know it ain't been in those types of positions and all those types of things, just working back into practice last week."
Samuel caught three passes for 35 yards and even got to carry the football for 10 rushing yards during his 25 snaps as head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers ease the versatile receiver back into the mix.
"I just play my role," Samuel said. "Whatever Kyle asks me to do, I just go out there and do the best that I can at it."
The second-year receiver shared what it was like to be back on the football field with his teammates.
"Honestly, it felt great just to be out there," Samuel explained. "It all started at practice that Wednesday when I was just going out there and feeling the energy of [Kendrick Bourne] and Brandon (Aiyuk) and (receivers coach) Wes Welker and all the other guys.
"But it was just great to get back out there with the guys. And like I just stated a minute ago, whatever Kyle needs me to do, I'm going to go out there and do it, no matter how many snaps it is."
The 49ers have the Hot Boyzz on defense. Apparently, players have also assigned a nickname to their receivers group too. When asked about Brandon Aiyuk's impressive performance against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, Samuel shared the moniker.
Aiyuk's performance included a highlight-worthy 38-yard touchdown run that ended with the rookie wideout leaping over safety Marcus Epps on the way into the end zone.
"I think Brandon is doing a great job," Samuel shared. "It's good to say that he's part of the YAC Bros now. ... It's just great to have another guy out there who can break tackles and go score.
"... I think it's more space for all of us because now you've actually got to cover the whole field with me, (George) Kittle, and Brandon able to [avoid] tackles. You don't know who's getting the end-around, who's getting the screens, so it puts stress on defensive coordinators on how they gonna game plan us.
"The hurdle was crazy. I wish you could go back to the game and see the expression of the whole team with just knowing he didn't even take a gather step just to jump over the guy. It was very impressive."
