Deebo Samuel is a critical weapon for the San Francisco 49ers and should play a pivotal role when they face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58.
If the 49ers are to lift the Lombardi Trophy on Feb. 11, 2024, then Samuel will need to be healthy. What do we know about his injury status before the big game?
Deebo Samuel Suffers Another Injury in Second Half of Super Bowl 58
Ahead of the Chiefs vs. 49ers game, Samuel had been suffering from a shoulder injury. However, in the second half of a 10-3 game, the 49ers WR went out with an apparent hamstring injury.
After going to the tent, Samuel was seen walking around the sideline but ultimately returned to the medical tent a second time. He has yet to return to the game and has been designated as questionable.
Officially questionable with a hamstring injury. https://t.co/S17Y1y20ux
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2024
Is Samuel Healthy Enough To Play in Super Bowl 58?
The star wide receiver has missed some time during the 2023 NFL season and was feared to have reaggravated the injury in the playoffs. However, Samuel is healthy and expected to play on Sunday.
Despite dealing with a shoulder problem earlier in the playoffs, Samuel has a clean bill of health for Super Bowl 58 and will be taking to the field.
Samuel suffered a nasty-looking shoulder injury in the 49ers’ 24-21 Divisional Round win over the Green Bay Packers, meaning he missed most of the game. However, he returned the following week against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game.
There was concern that Samuel may have aggravated a hairline fracture in his shoulder that caused him to miss games earlier in the season.
It led to the elusive WR being on the injury report prior to San Francisco’s game against Detroit, but he was a full participant in practice late in the week and cleared to play.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told the media, “It’s huge” to have Samuel back before the NFC Championship Game. “A little scary at the beginning of the week, but the fact he was able to go full go today, and no restrictions on him is a good thing for us.”
MORE: Deebo Samuel — So Easy To Coach, Yet So Hard To Defend
Speaking before the NFC Championship Game, Samuel said there was no way he would miss such a pivotal game in the season. “A game like this got to put everything on the line,” the 49ers WR said.
“We’ve been here four out of the last five years. Three years, we fell short, and then one year, we fell short in the Super Bowl. It’s kind of like, what is it gonna take? I feel like we’ve got all the things that we need in this building. It’s all hands on deck, and we know what’s at stake.”
Samuel had eight receptions for 89 receiving yards against the Lions, as the 49ers rallied from 17 points down to win the game 34-31 and reach the Super Bowl.
Thankfully, Samuel came through the NFC Championship Game unscathed and is ready to face the Chiefs in Super Bowl 58. He did not appear on the 49ers’ injury report before the big game.
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