Deebo Although there were never any concerns about Samuel’s ability going into the season,
his absences have taught us a lot about the 49ers’ offensive scheme. After its versatile weapon left the game in the first quarter of the squad’s most recent Packers playoff matchup, the team struggled.Samuel missed eleven of the twelve quarters in the three games the 49ers played this season while starting their starting lineup. Samuel was hurt in October in the same left shoulder that he had previously injured, but Kyle Shanahan has confirmed (via ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner) that the fifth-year wide receiver did not break any bones—in October, he had a microfracture in his shoulder.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds that Samuel might play in the NFC title game. Shanahan stated that although Samuel was first examined for a concussion, he only suffered a shoulder injury on Saturday night. Samuel’s practice status is unknown, but according to Schefter, there is a 50/50 chance that the $24 million player will suit up against the Lions.The 49ers were probably not going to be able to join the Air Coryell Chargers, the 2004 Colts, and a few other teams in the elite group of teams with three pass catchers with 1,000 yards after Samuel’s shoulder injury. This season, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk both reached the 1,000 mark; Samuel concluded with 892. Along with five touchdowns, the South Carolina alum added 225 running yards. Samuel’s influence is more noticeable on a play-by-play basis; Wagoner reports that during the regular season, the 49ers averaged 7.1 yards per play when the former second-round choice was on the field and 5.7 when he was not.After suffering a shoulder injury in the first quarter of the Browns game in Week 6, Samuel missed the Vikings and Bengals games as well. After Samuel (and left tackle Trent Williams) started playing again, the 49ers came together and won seven straight games, giving them home-field advantage.
The 49ers still have Christian McCaffrey, Aiyuk, and Kittle available, but Samuel’s comeback clearly plays a significant role in the team’s hopes of winning a Super Bowl again. Without Samuel, Jauan Jennings, the No. 3 wideout, has a much larger role. Although Samuel’s availability for this game is questionable, it seems highly likely that he will be able to return if San Francisco makes it to Super Bowl LVIII.
