The San Francisco 49ers officially listed wide receiver Deebo Samuel as questionable for today's game against the Arizona Cardinals. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Samuel is expected to play.
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings (shin) and running back Elijah Mitchell (knee) are not expected to play.
49ers' WR Deebo Samuel, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a rib and knee injury, is expected to play vs. the Cardinals barring any pre-game setbacks, per source.
49ers' WR Jauan Jennings (shin) and RB Elijah Mitchell are not expected to play Sunday vs. Cardinals.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 1, 2023
Samuel entered the week dealing with rib and knee injuries. As the rib issue subsided, the knee injury kept Samuel out of practices until the receiver was finally listed as a limited participant on Friday. Although, that participation is believed to have been very minimal.
"The knee was a little bit more sore than the ribs," Samuel said on Friday. "It kind of happened on that screen I got called on, on 3rd-and-15 in the first quarter when I instantly landed right on it. But at the time, I wasn't feeling how bad it was, but it did get flamed up and it was pretty sore."
Jennings (shin) was listed as doubtful. Linebackers Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (ankle) and Dre Greenlaw (ankle), and Mitchell (knee) were listed as questionable.
The 49ers elevated two players, wide receiver Willie Snead and cornerback Kendall Sheffield, from the practice squad for the game against the Cardinals.
The fact that the team did not elevate a second receiver hinted that Samuel might be trending toward playing.
The 49ers appear to be optimistic WR Deebo Samuel will be available to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 30, 2023
San Francisco made Samuel (6-0, 215) a second-round selection (No. 36 overall) out of South Carolina in 2019. He has registered 17 receptions for 247 yards and a touchdown while adding 48 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on eight carries through three starts this season, per Pro Football Reference.
The Niners are a 14-point favorite over the Cardinals.