San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel returned to the football field for the first time since suffering a hairline fracture in his shoulder on October 15 against the Cleveland Browns. The 49ers routed the red-hot Jacksonville Jaguars 34-3, with Samuel registering four receptions for 30 yards and three carries for 29 yards, including a touchdown.
Samuel's return was joined by tackle Trent Williams, who had missed the past two games due to an ankle injury. Despite acknowledging that he has not fully recovered, Williams played a crucial role in the game.
"I don't think I took a step back," Williams shared after the game. "Definitely didn't get any better. But I think I'm close to 75, 80 percent. I think I'm still around there."
A still-ailing Williams admitted that he wasn't confident he would suit up in Jacksonville. However, he played, and the All-Pro's presence made an impact.
"I think it was just good to get everybody back," Samuel told team reporter Lindsey Pallares after the game. "You know, we just added [DE] Chase [Young], so you can see our defense was playing crazy right now, only allowing three points. We get back to scoring 30 points. I think it was just a collective win."
Samuel and Williams teamed up on a pivotal play in the third quarter that got the wide receiver into the end zone.
"Once I came around the edge, I seen Trent and nothing but white jerseys, and I was like, 'Yeah, this got to get into the end zone,'" Samuel said.
"It was just good to get everybody back."@19problemz caught up with @lindseylares for the @Lexus postgame interview following the big win in Jacksonville. pic.twitter.com/vmXFBN5XQh
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 12, 2023
While Samuel saw Williams during the play, Williams did not see his teammate.
"It's kind of weird because 31 (Jaguars CB Darious Williams) turned around and ran," Williams told reporters, laughing. "I ain't never seen that. I knew he (Samuel) was close because I could just tell the reaction of the guy in front of me.
"But I feel so comfortable with [RB Christian McCaffrey] or [Samuel] out there in the open field, I just got to get in the way long enough for them to make a decision. And once 19 gets a head of steam, it's really tough to bring him down."
When questioned about his determination to play despite not being fully healthy, Williams revealed, "I miss it. Obviously, not being out there the last couple of weeks and not being able to contribute and help my team, it really sucks, man. You feel useless around the building when you're not out there contributing in a physical way."
The offensive lineman acknowledged that he was rusty, something he expected going into the Week 10 matchup, having not played in a month.
Williams added, "It was important for me to get out there, and I told coach a week ago, if I got to 75 percent, I think I was going to give it a shot."