"The way I kind of see it in my mind ... I think we're hoping for Week 1 (but) not counting on it," Shanahan said when asked about Samuel's recovery. "But I think that's kind of the area that these injuries usually heal by. But a lot of it has to do (with) are you ready to play, is it fully healed by that time, are you in football shape?"
Samuel shared the following video on Instagram of himself running sprints and showing off his progress. (h/t to Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Bay Area)
He's obviously not at 100 percent yet, but having him in the lineup, paired with rookie Brandon Aiyuk and mainstay Kendrick Bourne, for the start of the season would be huge for Shanahan and the 49ers offense. The video, however, doesn't show off testing his foot and making cuts. That will likely come at a later date as his rehabilitation progresses.
"Deebo's going to do everything he can to be in shape, but it's hard to be in football shape until you can play football," Shanahan continued. "So, how many practices do we get him in here before Arizona? That's going to all go into play, but I'm hoping for Week 1 but not sure yet. It's a little too early."
Earlier this month, Samuel showed off his rehabilitation progress while working out at the 49ers facility in Santa Clara.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Christian McCaffrey says 49ers would welcome Deebo Samuel reunion
A reunion between Deebo Samuel and the San Francisco 49ers may seem unlikely after the wide receiver pushed for a trade last year. The 49ers ultimately sent Samuel to the Washington Commanders, where he finished the season with 802 scrimmage yards—the second-lowest total of... -
Watch: 49ers legend Roger Craig learns he's headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
The NFL officially announced Thursday that San Francisco 49ers legend Roger Craig has been selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A pioneer who helped redefine the running back position, Craig's long-awaited enshrinement cements his place among the game's... -
Why 49ers' Christian McCaffrey looks back on the 2025 season with pride
Some might label the San Francisco 49ers' 2025 season a failure because the team didn't achieve its ultimate goal: winning the Super Bowl. However, 31 other NFL teams share that same fate every year. Despite the outcome, star running back Christian McCaffrey says he will look... -
'Rise of the 49ers' brings iconic NFL dynasty back to life
Few franchises in professional sports shaped their league the way the San Francisco 49ers did. The 49ers of the 1980s and 1990s redefined what championship football looked like—on the field, on the sideline, and in the front office. And they became the standard by which the...