Injuries destroyed the San Francisco 49ers‘ chances at the Super Bowl last year, and another injury issue struck early in the club’s first 2024 playoff game. Wideout Deebo Samuel suffered multiple injuries during the 49ers’ Divisional Round matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Deebo Samuel Injury Update
Samuel stayed down on the field after San Francisco’s fifth offensive play. He hauled in a nine-yard pass from quarterback Brock Purdy but may have taken helmet-to-helmet contact after the catch.
While Samuel was eventually able to leave the field under his own power, he subsequently entered the blue medical tent along the 49ers’ sideline for further evaluation.
Deebo Samuel is down and the #49ers are holding their breath. pic.twitter.com/EPnExqWJLV
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 21, 2024
San Francisco initially announced that Samuel was being examined for a concussion and listed his return as questionable. However, he was quickly cleared to return near the end of the first quarter.
MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart
Samuel later jogged to the locker room midway through the second quarter with a 49ers equipment staff member. San Francisco listed him as questionable again, this time with a shoulder injury.
He eventually returned to the sideline but did not take the field for the 49ers’ next offensive drive. Deebo was spotted walking on the team’s sideline but did not have his helmet or gloves.
Samuel again departed for San Francisco’s locker room near the second quarter’s two-minute warning. He emerged wearing sweatpants to begin the third quarter and was officially ruled out for the remainder of Saturday’s contest.
Samuel already missed two games this season — Weeks 7 and 8 — with a shoulder injury. Any aggravation could be especially concerning and put his availability for a potential NFC Championship Game at risk.
Jauan Jennings took Deebo’s starting WR role in San Francisco’s offense. Jennings, a 2020 seventh-round pick, posted 19 catches for 265 yards and a touchdown in 13 regular-season games.
Fantasy Football Impact of Samuel’s Injury
Brandon Aiyuk easily set career highs in receiving yards and yards per catch this season, showing growth that allowed him to pass Samuel in dynasty rankings. Fantasy managers should consider Aiyuk the most consistent target earner on this offense, putting him in the WR1 discussion for next season.
Samuel’s pounding style of play makes him a great asset but also opens him up to injuries. His production is usually there at the end of the season, and that’s valuable. But Deebo’s ups and downs add more risk to his profile than most other receivers who figure to come off the board in the first few rounds of drafts this summer.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe