Samuel (ankle/knee) caught two of three targets for 20 yards and rushed once for four yards in Sunday's 38-13 win over the Cardinals.
Analysis: Samuel returned from a three-game absence due to injury, and he was expectedly eased back into action with just three combined touches in a comfortable win. The dual-threat superstar finishes the regular season with 864 combined yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns across 13 games. Samuel should be in line for his usual workload for the upcoming playoff schedule after shaking off the rust in Week 18.
Jan 8, 2023 7:44 PM EST
Samuel (ankle/knee) has no injury designation for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Analysis: Samuel will make his first appearance since suffering an MCL sprain and ankle injury Week 14. His normal workload isn't assured, but it's certainly possible given that he's been practicing since last Thursday.
Jan 6, 2023 2:04 PM EST
Samuel (ankle/knee) was limited in practice Thursday.
Analysis: One day removed from logging all activity at Wednesday's session, Samuel fell back to a capped practice as he continues the later stages of his recovery from a sprained left MCL and left ankle sprain that he picked up Week 14 versus the Buccaneers. He did relay to David Lombardi of The Athletic on Wednesday that he's "not going to risk myself" ahead of the postseason, and that if he's "not 100 percent ready to go," he won't press his luck. The 49ers' final Week 18 injury report thus may be telling for Samuel's availability for Sunday's contest against the Cardinals. Another absence from the fourth-year pro would set up fellow wide receiver Jauan Jennings for an elevated role alongside Brandon Aiyuk.
Jan 5, 2023 5:22 PM EST
Samuel (ankle/knee) was a full practice participant Wednesday.
Analysis: Samuel has missed three games in a row due to a sprained MCL in his left knee and a left ankle sprain that stems from getting injured during the second quarter of a Week 14 win against the Buccaneers. Wednesday's uncapped session follows the wide receiver capping Week 17 prep with back-to-back limited practices, so he's on the precipice of a return to action. Assuming he's out there Sunday against the Cardinals, Samuel could get a bit more work out of the 49ers backfield with Christian McCaffrey sitting out Wednesday due to a sprained ankle and Elijah Mitchell (knee) just opening his practice window to return from injured reserve.
Jan 4, 2023 5:14 PM EST
Samuel (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Las Vegas, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Analysis: Samuel will miss a third straight game even after returning to a limited practice Thursday. He reportedly didn't do much Friday, suggesting he's no lock to make it back Week 18 against the Cardinals, though the dual-threat wideout at least seems to be on track for the playoffs.
Dec 30, 2022 1:40 PM EST
Samuel (knee) didn't appear to do much during the early portion of Friday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Samuel worked out Wednesday and returned to a limited practice Thursday, sparking some hope he might return for Sunday's game in Las Vegas. Wagoner believes he's more likely to come back Week 18, though at that point it might only be a in a limited role to warm up for the postseason if the 49ers don't have much left to play for in terms of seeding. In any case, Samuel hasn't yet been ruled out for Week 17 and could perhaps still push for a 'questionable' designation on the final injury report if he looks good in practice.
Dec 30, 2022 12:40 PM EST
Samuel (knee/ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Samuel was spotted on the practice field during the media-access portion of Thursday's session catching passes during individual drills, per Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area. The activity was enough for Samuel to go down as limited and also fulfill coach Kyle Shanahan's sentiment that the wide receiver may be able to take part in the second practice of Week 17 prep. It's unclear if Samuel has a chance to suit up Sunday at Las Vegas, but Friday's injury report may include questionable next to his name, making his status one to continue to watch as the weekend approaches.
Dec 29, 2022 4:01 PM EST
Samuel (knee) was spotted on the field for the open portion of Thursday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Samuel hasn't logged any recorded practice activity since spraining his left knee and ankle in a Dec. 11 win over Tampa Bay, but he looks poised to go down as either a limited or full participant on the 49ers' second Week 17 injury report, which will be released later Thursday. Samuel looks like he'll have a chance to put an end to a two-game absence and suit up this Sunday in Las Vegas, but his availability for that contest will be contingent on how he fares in practice Thursday and Friday.
Dec 29, 2022 1:16 PM EST
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Samuel has a chance to return to practice Thursday, depending on how his on-field workout goes Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: On Monday, Shanahan told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area that Samuel would make an effort to mix into drills this week, and now it may happen as early as Thursday. It's unclear if Samuel will have enough time to prove the health of the sprained MCL in his left knee ahead of Sunday's game at Las Vegas, but his status bears watching in the coming days to get a sense of his potential to do so.
Dec 28, 2022 11:46 AM EST
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Samuel (knee) may return to practice later this week, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Analysis: Samuel has missed back-to-back games on account of the sprained left MCL and ankle that he sustained back in Week 14. It's unclear if he has a chance to suit up Sunday at Las Vegas, but the extent of his on-field work once he mixes into drills may provide some insight into his potential to play this weekend. The 49ers will post their first injury report of Week 17 on Wednesday, at which point the team will have a basis for Samuel as he goes through the later stages of his recovery. With Samuel sidelined, Jauan Jennings has taken on a much larger role alongside Brandon Aiyuk at wide receiver.
Dec 26, 2022 3:54 PM EST
Samuel (knee/ankle) didn't participate in Thursday's practice but was seen doing some jogging and running off to the side during the media-access portion of the session, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Samuel will be sidelined for a second straight game this Saturday against the Commanders, but based on where he currently stands in his recovery from a left MCL sprain and a left ankle sprain, he looks as though he'll have a chance to make it back for the 49ers' Week 17 game against the Raiders on Jan. 1. In order to put himself in consideration to play in Las Vegas, Samuel will presumably need to prove his health during the 49ers' trio of practices next Wednesday through Friday. While Samuel is out for the upcoming weekend, the 49ers will turn to Jauan Jennings and Ray-Ray McCloud to pick up snaps at receiver alongside Brandon Aiyuk.
Dec 22, 2022 1:44 PM EST
Samuel (knee) hasn't been cleared to practice and remains in line to sit out Saturday's game against the Commanders, but he was spotted Tuesday without a walking boot to protect his sprained ankle and without any brace on his injured left knee, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: Samuel was sidelined for the 49ers' Week 15 win over the Seahawks with the two left leg injuries, which head coach Kyle Shanahan said Dec. 13 would likely keep the talented wideout sidelined for around three weeks. As a result, Samuel shouldn't be viewed as a realistic candidate to play until Week 17 in Las Vegas, and his status for that contest will be contingent on how his knee and ankle respond to practice activity. Even though the 49ers are close to sewing up a playoff spot and may not have much at stake in Weeks 17 and 18, they would presumably still want to see Samuel get in some snaps in a game setting and build more rapport with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy before the postseason gets underway.
Dec 20, 2022 2:11 PM EST
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that he expects Samuel (knee/ankle) to return to game action in "three-ish" weeks, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Based on Shanahan's comments, the 49ers already seem to be ruling Samuel out for Thursday's game in Seattle as well as the team's Dec. 24 home game against the Commanders, but a Week 16 return at Las Vegas could be in the forecast for the talented wideout if he makes a quick recovery from the MCL sprain to his left knee and the left ankle sprain he sustained in Sunday's 35-7 win over the Buccaneers. San Francisco will likely be left with Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings and Ray-Ray McCloud as its primary options at receiver for the duration of Samuel's absence.
Dec 13, 2022 1:50 PM EST
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Samuel has been diagnosed with a left MCL sprain and sprained left ankle, but the 49ers expect him to play again at some point during the regular season, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Analysis: Samuel was knocked out of Sunday's 35-7 win against the Buccaneers after he was bent backward by two Tampa Bay defenders in the second quarter, a play in which he lost a fumble on a three-yard carry. First, he was listed as questionable to return with a knee injury, before being ruled out with an ankle issue. It appears both areas were compromised, which wouldn't have allowed him to practice Monday if the 49ers had held a session, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Samuel appears poised to miss Thursday's game at Seattle and likely additional action beyond that point, but Shanahan's comment indicates the wide receiver may see action Week 17 or 18. In the meantime, Brandon Aiyuk will become the focus of San Francisco's receiving corps, with Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud and Danny Gray set for bigger roles.
Dec 12, 2022 3:14 PM EST
Samuel likely has a high ankle sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The 49ers originally believed Samuel avoided a major injury, likely because x-rays revealed no broken bones, but a high ankle sprain would probably sideline the star receiver for the remainder of the regular season, as such injuries usually come with a 4-6 week recovery timetable. Samuel will get an MRI soon to confirm the diagnosis.
Dec 11, 2022 5:05 PM EST
Samuel (ankle) is believed to have avoided a major injury Sunday against the Buccaneers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Samuel had his leg rolled up on at the end of a run up the middle prior to being carted to the locker room. Further testing on the injury is still necessary, but it sounds like Samuel will likely avoid a long-term absence. His availability for Thursday's game against Seattle has not been determined, though the short turnaround will make it an uphill battle for the star receiver.
Dec 11, 2022 4:21 PM EST
Samuel won't return to Sunday's game versus the Buccaneers due to an ankle injury, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Analysis: Samuel was bent backwards by a few Bucs defenders on a three-yard carry in the second quarter, losing a fumble in the process. Afterward, he clutched at his lower left leg and eventually needed a cart to get to the locker room, where he initially was diagnosed with a knee injury. The 49ers have since reclassified the issue as to his ankle, but the severity is not yet known. As long as Samuel is sidelined, the likes of Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud and Danny Gray will fill in at wide receiver alongside Brandon Aiyuk.
Dec 11, 2022 3:27 PM EST
Samuel was carted off the field during Sunday's game against the Buccaneers due to a left knee injury, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Near the end of a three-yard carry in which he coughed up the ball to the Bucs in the second quarter, Samuel was bent backwards by multiple Tampa Bay defenders and clutched at his left knee after the play. The nature of the injury isn't known, but if he's unable to return, he'll end Week 14 with four catches (on five targets) for 43 yards, four carries for 21 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Dec 11, 2022 2:49 PM EST
Samuel (quadriceps) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Samuel had his practice reps capped Wednesday and Thursday while he continues to manage a quad issue that's likely related to the hamstring injury that caused him to sit out the Week 8 win over the Rams, but as expected, he'll get the green light to play this weekend. The 26-year-old should settle back into his usual role as the 49ers' No. 1 wideout, though he'll be on the receiving end of passes from rookie Brock Purdy moving forward after Jimmy Garoppolo sustained a likely season-ending foot injury in the Week 13 win over the Dolphins. While the presence of Purdy may make Samuel's receiving production less reliable from week to week, Samuel could see more involvement as a runner. Christian McCaffrey is locked in as the team's lead back, but with top backup Elijah Mitchell (knee) moving back to injured reserve ahead of the game against Miami, Samuel ended up carrying the ball four times in the victory, tying his third-highest total of the season.
Dec 9, 2022 2:15 PM EST
Samuel (quadriceps) was limited at Thursday's practice, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Analysis: As Samuel did Wednesday, allowing him just one more opportunity to log a full session before the 49ers potentially make a ruling on his status ahead of Sunday's contest against the Buccaneers. He was listed as questionable on the final Week 13 injury report but eventually cleared to play this past Sunday versus the Dolphins on his way to 10 touches for 63 yards from scrimmage on an 82 percent share of snaps. Whether or not Samuel receives the same treatment this week remains to be seen.
Dec 8, 2022 4:19 PM EST
News powered by