When Deebo Samuel suffered a calf strain in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, it was initially expected that the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver would miss the next two games. He sat out Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams but appears ahead of schedule in his recovery.
Samuel unexpectedly returned to practice on Thursday, sparking hope that he could suit up this weekend against the New England Patriots.
"When we have these injuries, there's timelines based upon scans and MRIs and data that we've collected over long periods of time," general manager John Lynch said Friday morning during his weekly interview on Bay Area radio station KNBR. "That probably has changed from when I played. They give a timeline, and it probably errs on the side of caution because the data tells you if you bring them back too soon, you run the risk of them being hurt more, more severe injuries.
"But they're just that; they're timelines. And so, Deebo ... the best athletes seem to heal at a little better rate. But we have really objective testing and markers that they have to hit, and the reason he's on the field is because he hit all these markers, and he felt good enough to be out there."
Lynch noted that Thursday's practice is typically the most intense of the week, and the team will assess how Samuel feels on Friday before making any decisions.
"If he's ready, if he's hit all the markers, that would be a really nice surprise to have him back," Lynch added. "But I think that is to be determined here. Today will be a big day in that process."
Samuel, now in his sixth NFL year, has 13 receptions for 164 yards through two games this season.
You can listen to Lynch's entire interview below.