Quarterback help: 49ers sign McLeod Bethel-Thompson

On December 3, 2019, the playoff-bound 49ers and Saints put on a show to remember in front of a packed house at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana -- a 48-46 shootout won by the 49ers that was widely regarded as the most exciting game of last year's regular season. The 49ers and Saints staged a rematch at the Superdome on Sunday, but the circumstances

Reporters did not see San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel during today's practice, which is the last of this week before the team boards a plane bound for New Orleans. That means the second-year wideout did not practice at all this week, making his availability for Sunday's game against the Saints very unlikely. Samuel is attempting to return from a hamstring injury suffered during the 49ers' Week 7 win over the New England Patriots. General manager John Lynch had hoped Samuel might be able to get onto the practice field today but noted that his availability for this weekend remained a long shot. "I think the final challenge or opportunity for Deebo to show that he can go is out here on Friday,"

The San Francisco 49ers are currently scheduled to have a lot of their players hit free agency next offseason. A lot. Thirty-four players are scheduled to become either an unrestricted free agent or a restricted free agent, according to Spotrac.com. Seven more are scheduled to become exclusive-rights free agents. One of the team's biggest names scheduled to hit free agency is offensive tackle Trent Williams, who has played just nine games with the team. San Francisco traded for the seven-time Pro Bowl selection in April to replace the retiring Joe Staley. ESPN's Kevin Seifert