The 49ers are down another offensive star. Receiver Deebo Samuel suffered a calf strain Sunday that will sideline him for several weeks, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
According to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, Samuel believes he suffered his injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss. The 49ers only played a handful of additional offensive snaps before the game ended. It doesn’t sound like Samuel will require an IR stint, but Shanahan also hinted that this will be more than a one-game absence.
The 49ers were already operating without star RB Christian McCaffrey, with Samuel soaking up a handful of leftover snaps in the backfield (behind Jordan Mason).
Samuel was naturally impressing in the receiving game, averaging 82 yards through his first two contests. That marked his highest average since his 1,405-yard receiving effort in 2021, and it was also a major step up from his 54.4 yards-per-game-mark between 2022 and 2023.
Attention will now turn to the team’s remaining offensive star in Brandon Aiyuk. The wideout is coming off a drama-filled training camp and preseason that included a hold-in and a trade request. That ended up culminating in the receiver earning a contract worth $30M annually, and the fifth-year pro will now be called upon to help guide the team’s receivers.
Through two games, Aiyuk has hauled in only six catches for 71 yards, and he had a notable dropped touchdown in Week 1.
With Samuel out, Jauan Jennings will likely see an uptick in playing time. The Super Bowl LVIII standout got into 38 offensive snaps Sunday, and he was the only receiver outside of Samuel and Aiyuk to see a significant role.
Chris Conley and Ronnie Bell got into a combined 15 snaps, while Jacob Cowing didn’t garner an offensive snap. Rookie Ricky Pearsall will also eventually be inserted into the conversation, although there’s a good chance he’s back after Samuel.
