There is a wide range of opinions on Samuel this year, which makes sense because he is one of the most unique players in Fantasy. We all view him as a No. 2 wide receiver who should be drafted somewhere between Round 3 and Round 5. Samuel's production fell from 21.3 FPPG in 2021 (WR3) to 13.0 FPPG in 2022 (WR30). He posted by far his worst yards per route run of his career at 1.69 and scored only two receiving touchdowns despite 94 targets. In nine games with Christian McCaffrey, he averaged 6.9 targets and 3.4 rush attempts per game compared to 7.6 targets and 3.7 rush attempts per game in his breakout season. In other words, if the efficiency bounces back, the volume is still there.
49ers' Deebo Samuel: Scores third rushing TD of 2023
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Samuel caught seven of nine targets for 79 yards while adding 15 yards and a touchdown on four carries in Thursday's 31-13 win over Seattle.
Samuel literally hit the ground running on his first carry when he took a designed run untouched from two yards out to give San Francisco a lead it would never vanquish. The dual-threat superstar then proceeded to lead his team in receiving en route to a healthy fantasy score for managers to close out Thursday's action. Deebo is now averaging 71.7 combined yards with two rushing scores in three games since returning from both his injury layoff and San Francisco's Week 9 bye. Samuel should remain busy in Week 13 when the 49ers look to exact revenge on the Eagles from last year's loss in the NFC Championship Games on Dec. 2.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Three catches in Sunday's win
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Samuel caught three of four targets for 63 yards in Sunday's 27-14 win over the Buccaneers.
The 49ers' target tree was incredibly narrow in this one, as only four players caught a pass, with Samuel coming in fourth in that group. He still managed to post his second-highest yardage total of the season thanks to a 40-yard grab in the third quarter that helped set up the team's final points of the day. Samuel's had a disappointing season so far, but if he can stay healthy he could put together a productive run given San Francisco's favorable closing schedule, which includes a trip to Seattle in Week 12.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Scores rushing TD in return
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Samuel (shoulder) caught all four of his targets for 30 yards while rushing three times for 29 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-3 win over Jacksonville.
Samuel's four catches in his first action since Week 6 ranked second on the team behind Christian McCaffrey's six. The versatile receiver's biggest play came on the ground, though, as Samuel produced a 23-yard touchdown run to give the 49ers a 27-3 lead in the third quarter. Samuel has one receiving touchdown and two rushing scores through seven appearances, and he appears healthy heading into a Week 11 home game against the Buccaneers.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Will be 'full go' Wednesday
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Samuel (shoulder) will be "full go" at Wednesday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Samuel sustained a hairline fracture in his left shoulder during the 49ers' Week 6 loss in Cleveland, which kept him sidelined for the team's next two games. He was expected to miss at least that much time, and with the benefit of a Week 9 bye, he seemed back to his normal self at Monday's informal session, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. With an uncapped session on tap Wednesday, Samuel is set to resume his status as one of San Francisco's top playmakers on offense. In five games prior to suffering the current health concern, he notched 20 catches (on 31 targets) for 302 yards and one touchdown and 16 carries for 84 yards and another score.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Contrarian DFS Play (WR Preview)
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Things will be crowded again in San Francisco with Samuel back. That means it's hard to trust the weekly floor for him, Brandon Aiyuk, or George Kittle. But they all three have undeniable upside which makes them great tournament plays. Samuel is my favorite this week because I expect his roster rate to be lower than the other two.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Practicing Monday
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Samuel (shoulder) was on the field for the 49ers' informal practice session Monday and appeared to have no limitations while going through individual and group drills, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The 49ers won't have to reveal their first Week 10 practice report until Wednesday, but because of its Week 9 bye, the team was able to get an early start on prepping for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. Based on video provided by Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com during the portion of Monday's session that was open to the media, Samuel was in uniform and appeared to be moving at full speed while running routes, a sign that he could be ready to return to action this weekend following a two-game absence due to a hairline fracture of his left shoulder. Samuel's potential return would provide a lift to a struggling 49ers offense that was held to 17 points in each of its last three games before the bye week.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Works out on side Thursday
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Samuel (shoulder) was spotted running off to the side during Thursday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Though head coach Kyle Shanahan has already ruled Samuel out from playing in Sunday's game against the Bengals, the wideout's ability to complete a workout Thursday at least represents a tangible step forward in his recovery from a hairline fracture in his shoulder. The 27-year-old would seem to have a good chance to be available to play Nov. 12 against the Jaguars following the 49ers' Week 9 bye.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Likely missing multiple games
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San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Samuel (shoulder), who was already ruled out for Monday's contest against the Vikings, will also miss the 49ers' Week 8 contest against the Bengals, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Samuel is dealing with a hairline fracture of his shoulder, which will keep the star receiver out at minimum three weeks, including the team's Week 9 bye. Given that timeline, Samuel could be a candidate for injured reserve, which would entail a minimum four-game absence. In Samuel's absence, expect Brandon Aiyuk to be a heavily featured option as the 49ers' clear No. 1 receiver, with the likes of Jauan Jennings, Ronnie Bell, Ray-Ray McCloud all factoring in.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Misses practice again
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Samuel (shoulder) didn't practice Friday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Samuel has missed back-to-back practices ahead of a Monday game in Minnesota, with Saturday representing his final chance to participate this week. Matt Barrows of The Athletic notes that Samuel was spotted in the team's weight room, while RB Christian McCaffrey made it out to a side field to work with the training staff. Both are considered day-to-day and could end up as game-time decisions for Monday Night Football.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Not seen at practice
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Samuel (shoulder) doesn't appear to be practicing Friday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
He could technically still make an appearance after the media-access portion concludes, but it's much more likely Samuel simply will be held out for a second straight day. Coach Kyle Shanahan deemed the wide receiver day-to-day at the beginning of the week ahead of preparations for a Monday night matchup with Minnesota.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Not practicing
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Samuel (shoulder) isn't practicing Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
It comes as no surprise given that Samuel was unable to return to Sunday's loss to the Browns after exiting in the first half. He does have an extra day to prepare with the 49ers facing the Vikings on Monday Night Football this week, and a return to practice Friday would mark a big step in the right direction. Jauan Jennings and Ray-Ray McCloud are the primary candidates to get more snaps than usual if Samuel ends up inactive Monday.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Considered day-to-day
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Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Samuel (shoulder) is day-to-day, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Samuel played just nine snaps before exiting Sunday's loss to the Browns. He returned to the sideline in street clothes for the second half. All of the tests on Samuel's shoulder have come back clean, so it sounds like he avoided anything serious. Samuel gets an extra day to rest this week with the 49ers traveling to Minnesota next Monday night. Jauan Jennings and Ray-Ray McCloud saw increased offensive roles behind Brandon Aiyuk following Samuel's injury.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: X-rays negative, more tests to come
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X-rays came back negative for the shoulder injury that forced Samuel out of Sunday's 19-17 loss in Cleveland, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Samuel suffered the injury in the first half, and after a lengthy spell in the sideline tent, he went to the locker room before the 49ers ruled him out. Avoiding any fractures is an initial positive sign for Samuel's outlook, but more tests, likely including an MRI, are on tap to determine the extent of the issue. The team also lost Christian McCaffrey due to oblique and rib injuries Sunday, so the skill positions in San Francisco will be something to keep an eye on as it prepares for a Week 7 road matchup with the Vikings next Monday. If Samuel misses any time, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings would become the 49ers' top options at wide receiver.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Won't return Sunday
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Samuel (shoulder) has been ruled out for a return to Sunday's game against the Browns, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
Samuel failed to haul in his lone target and carried twice for 11 yards before exiting in the first half with the shoulder injury. The 49ers haven't revealed the extent of the issue, but Samuel could be headed for an MRI as the team aims to get a full picture of the injury. Samuel will have slightly more time than usual to heal up from the injury with the 49ers traveling to Minnesota for a Monday night game in Week 7.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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Samuel has been more running back than receiver in the past two games against Arizona and Dallas, and his Fantasy production has suffered. He has three catches for 55 yards on three targets in his past two outings against the Cardinals and Cowboys compared to eight carries for 36 yards. While he managed 11.5 PPR points against Dallas, that's not what we expect from him when healthy. He also has just one receiving touchdown this season, which came in Week 3 against the Giants when Brandon Aiyuk was out with a shoulder injury. This week, Samuel has a tough matchup against the Browns, who are No. 1 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. George Pickens in Week 2 is the lone receiver with more than 9.1 PPR points against Cleveland, which includes matchups with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, DeAndre Hopkins and Zay Flowers. Both Samuel and Aiyuk should be considered low-end No. 2 Fantasy receivers in this matchup.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Generates 85 combined yards
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Samuel (knee/ribs) caught all three of his targets for 55 yards while adding 30 rushing yards on five attempts in Sunday's 42-10 win over the Cowboys.
Samuel was able overcome a pair of lingering injuries and suit up for Sunday's matchup between NFC powerhouses. Unlike during last week's dud against the Cardinals, Samuel was given his full allotment of touches as a runner and receiver against the Cowboys, converting eight touches into 85 combined yards. The 27-year-old did not appear limited by his lingering knee or rib injuries, showing his usual burst without shying away from contact in the lopsided victory. Now healthy, Samuel can be deployed as usual in a road matchup against the Browns next Sunday.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Slated to be limited Wednesday
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that Samuel (knee/rib) will be limited at practice, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Samuel was able to play through knee and rib injuries this past Sunday against the Cardinals, logging a typical share (87 percent) of the offensive snaps. However, he wasn't targeted by quarterback Brock Purdy and was contained to just three carries for six yards in the 35-16 win. According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, Shanahan called Samuel "day-to-day" Monday, so the wide receiver appears to be in a similar spot as he was during Week 4 prep.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Deemed day-to-day by coach
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Coach Kyle Shanahan noted Monday that Samuel (knee/ribs) is viewed as day-to-day as Sunday night's game against the Cowboys approaches, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
In the 49ers' 35-16 win over the Cardinals in Week 4, Samuel (who had been listed as questionable for the contest) logged 48 of a possible 55 snaps on offense en route to recording three carries for six yards while not being targeted as a receiver. While there's been no reported setbacks for Samuel, Shanahan's comments suggest that the WR's practice reps could be managed ahead of Week 5 action.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Not targeted as receiver Sunday
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Samuel (knee/ribs) had three carries for six yards and was not targeted as a receiver in Sunday's 35-16 win over the Cardinals.
Samuel was able to suit up after carrying a questionable tag due to sore ribs suffered in last Sunday's win over the Rams. Fantasy managers may not have noticed that the star player was active when looking at Sunday's box score alone, but he was on the field for the majority of San Francisco's offensive snaps. ESPN's Nick Wagoner confirmed that Deebo's name was not on the 49ers' list of post-game injuries, which would make his lack of involvement a strategic move from head coach Kyle Shanahan. Barring any follow-up announcements from the team, a healthy Samuel should see plenty of action in a primetime showdown against the Cowboys next Sunday.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Suiting up in Week 4
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Samuel (knee/ribs) is active for Sunday's contest against the Cardinals, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
Samuel emerged from the 49ers' Week 3 win against the Giants with sore ribs, but a knee injury seemingly was the reason his status was in question for Week 4. The health concerns capped him to one limited session this week, but his fortunes turned for the better after Adam Schefter of ESPN reported early Sunday that the wide receiver was in line to play. With Samuel available to San Francisco's offense, he and Brandon Aiyuk will be among the top pass catchers for quarterback Brock Purdy along with RB Christian McCaffrey and TE George Kittle on Sunday.
