Report sheds light on Deebo Samuel’s status after shoulder injury

Sep 26, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night to advance to the NFC Championship Game, but Deebo Samuel was not on the field for very long. Fortunately, it sounds like there is optimism that the star wide receiver will be able to play next week.

Samuel suffered an injury to his left shoulder early in the first half. He was seen headed to the locker room and later returned in street clothes. While he is set to undergo more tests on Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Samuel told members of the organization that he is “OK.”

Schefter also asked a 49ers source if the source believed Samuel had a chance to play in the NFC Championship Game. The source told Schefter, “Yes, I do.”

Samuel suffered a hairline fracture to his left shoulder in Week 6. He missed two games. It is unclear if the injury he sustained on Saturday is related to that one.

Samuel is a huge part of San Francisco’s offense. He caught 60 passes for 892 yards and 7 touchdowns during the regular season. He also had 225 yards rushing and 5 scores on the ground. With the 49ers just barely squeaking by the Packers as a 10-point favorite, it goes without saying that they will be much better off if Samuel is cleared for next week’s game.