The San Francisco 49ers received another encouraging update on star wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
Samuel suffered knee and ankle injuries in the 49ers’ 35-7 blowout win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. But fortunately, his injury doesn’t sound like it’ll keep him out as long as some initially feared.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, head coach Kyle Shanahan informed reports that “he expects” the 26-year-old “to return from his knee and ankle injuries in around three weeks.” If that’s the case, Samuel could be back for the team’s Week 18 regular season finale against the NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals.
Samuel was having a productive day for the 49ers before his injury. He recorded 21 rushing yards and a touchdown on four carries to go along with four receptions for 43 yards as San Fran cruised to a sixth straight victory.
The 49ers have been hit hard by injuries this season, especially on offense. They lost starting quarterback Trey Lance for the season in Week 2 with a fractured ankle. 11 weeks later, Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a foot injury that will likely keep him out for the remainder of 2022 as well.
But third-stringer Brock Purdy had an excellent first career start against Tom Brady and the Bucs. With Samuel out, Brandon Aiyuk and do-it-all running back Christian McCaffrey carried the San Francisco offense to victory.
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In the offseason, Samuel and the 49ers agreed to a three-year contract extensions worth $71.55 million. The South Carolina product has 54 receptions for 612 yards, two touchdowns to go along with 228 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
At 9-4, the 49ers are in good position to win their first NFC West division title since 2019. A win over the archrival Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night would clinch the division for Kyle Shanahan and company. That would guarantee a home playoff game in the Wild Card Round, a luxury the 49ers didn’t have in last year’s postseason.
