"At the time, it was hurting really bad," Samuel told reporters after Friday's practice, moments after head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that the receiver was full-go for Sunday. "I was kind of scared a little bit. I thought I had fractured again, and I was just all over the place. In a big game like that, I had millions of emotions on the sideline, trying to kind of hold them together for my team."
The 49ers struggled without Samuel on the field, but thanks to some late-game heroics by quarterback Brock Purdy, they ended up with a 24-21 victory, ensuring their season continued.
"Just to see them get the dub and stuff, I mean, that was kind of a relief as well, just to know I have an extra week just to figure out what was going on," Samuel shared. "And we went and got an MRI, and everything showed up negative. It was just a deep bruise.
"It was kind of painful at the time, but as the week went on, them (the training staff) doing a good job, getting all the pain away, getting all my motion and strength back, and I feel like they did an outstanding job."
Samuel had suffered a shoulder injury earlier in the season against the Cleveland Browns. However, at that time, a hairline fracture forced him out of the game and prevented him from playing in the two subsequent contests. There was concern that he might have sustained a similar injury against the Packers.
"Right when I figured out it wasn't the same thing as the Browns game, it was kind of a relief because I know it wasn't a fracture," Samuel said. "It was just like a deep bruise or whatever. But I'm talking about timeless hours in here, day in and day out, just to get where we at right now."
With how physically Samuel plays in games, the receiver was asked if there might be a need to protect himself on Sunday against the Lions.
"I ain't protecting nothing," he responded.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' Trent Williams, Fred Warner amazed by Nick Bosa's recovery after ACL injury
For the second time in his NFL career, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa had his season cut short by an ACL injury. The latest setback occurred in Week 3 of the 2025 season. The good news is that the timing of the injury allowed Bosa ample time to recover and prepare... -
Deebo Samuel opens up on 49ers return, Mike Evans partnership, and Ricky Pearsall's injury
Deebo Samuel stepped onto the practice field Saturday for the first time since re-signing with the San Francisco 49ers. The dynamic wide receiver was heavily involved during the session, catching passes, carrying the ball, and making plays after the catch. It was an... -
49ers urged to reunite with Deebo Samuel after Ricky Pearsall injury concern
The San Francisco 49ers are counting on third-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall to start opposite veteran Mike Evans this season. However, those plans could be in jeopardy as Pearsall continues dealing with the lingering effects of last year's PCL injury. One former NFL wide... -
49ers WR Deebo Samuel's one-year contract includes intriguing incentive details
Last week, it was widely reported that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel signed a one-year contract worth up to $7 million, reuniting with the team that drafted him in 2019. As is often the case with NFL contracts, however, the initial reported value doesn't tell...