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The San Francisco 49ers expect to have wide receiver Deebo Samuel back for the playoffs. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has even expressed interest in having his star player get work in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. However, Samuel isn't willing to return to the football field before he is confident he is completely recovered.
Does that mean we might not see the receiver play this weekend?
"Not necessarily trying to push [to play this weekend]," Samuel told reporters from the locker room ahead of Wednesday's practice. "I'm not going to risk myself. If I'm not 100 percent ready to go, I'm not going to go out there."
Samuel suffered MCL and ankle sprains against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 11. Initially, the injury looked much worse than it ended up being. Given that an emotional Samuel was carted off the field, most thought we might have seen the last of the receiver this season. That includes Samuel.
"I thought I was done," Samuel admitted. "I've never been in a position like that in my 15 years playing. It was kind of a scary scene, but just knowing that I came out of it is just crazy."
Samuel believes that the ankle surgery he underwent in college likely kept this latest injury from being worse.
"It kind of protected my left leg a lot," Samuel said. "But after getting the [MRI] results, I thanked God that I was able to come out of that and able to continue to play the game this year, and all praise to the most high."
Deebo Samuel and Brock Purdy are why the 49ers can afford to pay Brandon Aiyuk
By David Bonilla
Apr 10
It's evident that the San Francisco 49ers engaged in long-term financial planning. Much discussion has centered around the feasibility of the team committing significant financial resources to two wide receivers, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Some skeptics question the wisdom of such heavy investment in a single position, especially considering that the 49ers handed Samuel a substantial three-year extension merely two years ago.
Adding complexity to this debate is the impending contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy, positioning him to become the highest-paid player on the team. He will likely even become one of the NFL's highest-paid players. Where he ranks in average salary will depend upon whether he can replicate the stellar performance of his Pro Bowl 2023
Mike Silver on how Deebo Samuel's contract might be the starting point for a Brandon Aiyuk extension
By Al Sacco
Apr 16
With the 2024 NFL Draft less than a week away, it's common for the rumor mill to start churning, especially with players who are actively seeking a new contract. It was just two short years ago that WR Deebo Samuel requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers prior to draft day, only for cooler heads to prevail and eventually agree to a new deal.
Now, it's WR Brandon Aiyuk's turn to try and get paid and rumors surfaced over the weekend that he too would request to be dealt. While that report was quickly shot down by his agent, there's still a lot of discussion about Aiyuk's future and if other teams will come calling on draft night.
Legendary columnist Mike Silver joined
Tom Brady 'not opposed' to NFL return with a playoff-bound team like the 49ers
By David Bonilla
Apr 11
Just when you thought the San Francisco 49ers and Tom Brady storylines had concluded, the future Hall of Fame quarterback drops another tidbit that sparks discussion. During an episode of "DeepCut with VicBlends," the host asked Brady what he would do if the NFL came calling once again.
VicBlends inquired if Brady would consider returning to the football field if a playoff-bound team like the 49ers needed him.
"I'm not opposed to it," Brady said, per Jordan Mendoza of USA Today. "I don't know if they're gonna let me if I become an owner an NFL team. I don't know, I'm always gonna be in good shape, always be able to
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
