San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel can be a challenging matchup for any opponent. His status for Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys remains uncertain after he was hospitalized earlier in the week with pneumonia. Samuel rejoined his teammates on Wednesday but did not practice, and he was a limited participant in Thursday's session.
"The fact that he was able to be out there and attempt some stuff, to me, is good news," head coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday. "I remember having pneumonia in my early 20s, and I did not feel like I could even walk down stairs about a week later. So there's all different types of levels of it. He's doing much better."
This week, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that his team is preparing to face Samuel on Sunday and expects him to make the same impactful plays he's known for.
"You have to prepare for him," McCarthy said. "He's a dynamic player. He's dangerous because he's able to be productive from so many different spots on the field. So, that's our approach. We're preparing for him to play."
#49ers injury updates, including what Mike McCarthy is saying about Deebo Samuel's health ahead of the #Cowboys Sunday night showdown👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/rISy0T84pV
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) October 25, 2024
With a touch of humor, McCarthy added that he wouldn't mind if the versatile receiver rested over the weekend to recover fully.
"I think he should rest, based on what I'm told, but we're preparing for him," McCarthy said while smiling.
Earlier this week, Samuel shared a heartfelt message for his injured teammate, Brandon Aiyuk, promising to give his all for him on the field. Aiyuk will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn ACL and MCL.
"Know I'm [going to] lay it all on the line for you brother!!! This one hurt [for real]," Samuel wrote on Instagram.
So far this season, Samuel has recorded 20 receptions for 335 yards and a receiving touchdown, in addition to 19 carries for 51 yards and a rushing touchdown.