After Deebo Samuel suffered a calf strain during Week 2's game against the Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan informed reporters that the wide receiver would likely miss a couple of weeks. Samuel sat out one game and returned to practice on Thursday. He is currently listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 4 matchup against the New England Patriots.
On Friday, Samuel spoke with reporters, explaining that the initial recovery timeline was indeed what had been discussed with Shanahan.
"I mean, that's what the case was," Samuel said in the 49ers locker room after practice. "But I came back feeling pretty good, and we went to practice the past two days still feeling good, so we'll just see how it goes."
Friday morning, general manager John Lynch expressed excitement about Samuel's possible return to the field this weekend, emphasizing that recovery timelines are only estimates based on past data.
"But they're just that; they're timelines," Lynch said. "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."
Samuel must be meeting those benchmarks if he is in play to suit up against the Patriots. That could provide a significant boost to a 49ers offense that is still missing versatile running back Christian McCaffrey.
With Jauan Jennings coming off a breakout performance, tallying 175 receiving yards and three touchdowns, there is renewed excitement among the fanbase to see Samuel, Jennings, and Brandon Aiyuk on the field together.
"It's always the sky's the limit when all three of us are out there together," Samuel said. "Especially, like, not only is he 'Third and Jauan,' but as you can see, he plays all over the field. And I was happy for him, for sure."