49ers being patient with ‘hurting’ Deebo’s NFC title game status

Deebo Samuel's status figures to be a major storyline this week as the 49ers prepare to face the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship game on Sunday in Santa Clara. Coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday afternoon said the wide receiver did not sustain a fractured shoulder, which increases his chances of being available for the biggest game of the season. The 49ers face the Lions on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at Levi's Stadium with a trip to Super Bowl LVIII on the line. "It wasn't broken, so that was a real good sign," Shanahan said Monday on a conference call with Bay Area reporters. "But he's still hurting too much for us to really have an idea how it's going to heal up this week. So we got to be patient and see how he feels on Wednesday. Based off if it's improving, it'll give us a better idea if he has a chance for the game or not." Samuel's versatility is unique, so both teams must prepare for scenarios in which he does or does not see action. "If we know he's not available, which hopefully we would know that Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, at least in those three days, then it makes it easier at least from a game-plan standpoint. You don't have to do much," Shanahan said. "But if there's...