The San Francisco 49ers have three games remaining before their first playoff game. They have already clinched the NFC West. While the No. 2 seed could still be in play, head coach Kyle Shanahan wants to be strategic and careful with his banged-up players, ensuring that his team is as healthy as can be come postseason action.
The 49ers expected wide receiver Deebo Samuel to get back onto the football field before the end of the regular season. He suffered MCL and ankle sprains during Week 14's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Depending on what happens over these next three games, San Francisco might opt to rest its star receiver until the playoffs.
Of course, if the situation were different and the 49ers were still fighting for a playoff spot, there might be more urgency to get Samuel back on the football field.
"I think this week, there would be a chance if we were that desperate," Shanahan admitted before Tuesday's practice. "But I'm not even looking into it this week, and we'll see how he is next Monday and make that decision."
The 49ers initially anticipated getting Samuel back for its New Year's Day matchup against the Raiders in Las Vegas. Now, there may not be a rush to do so. San Francisco is red-hot, even without the playmaking receiver. The team has won seven consecutive games, earning its last three victories with a rookie quarterback, Brock Purdy, at the helm of the offense.
A win over the Washington Commanders this weekend might go a long way toward earning Samuel some additional time off.