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The San Francisco 49ers’ offense has been hit hard by injuries as the 2024 season kicks off. Star running back Christian McCaffrey hasn’t played a game yet, and tight end George Kittle has also been dealing with his own injury issues. On top of that, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, a versatile weapon for quarterback Brock Purdy, missed Week 3 due to injury.
The 49ers, who were one of the favorites in the NFC after a narrow Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last season, are in desperate need of Samuel’s return as injuries have begun to stack up. Even though wide receiver Jauan Jennings had a standout game in Samuel’s absence in Week 3—scoring three touchdowns—San Francisco would still benefit greatly from having Samuel back on the field.
Will Deebo Samuel Play This Week? Injury Update
Samuel suffered a calf injury in Week 2, which initially looked like it would keep him out for several weeks. However, the news has turned out to be more positive than expected as the 49ers prepare to face the New England Patriots.
Samuel practiced on Thursday and Friday this week, indicating he’s getting closer to returning after sitting out in Week 3. The team has listed him as questionable for Sunday’s game, so it’s still unclear if he will play, but the signs are encouraging.
49ers’ WR Depth Chart
With Samuel’s calf injury in mind, here’s a look at the current wide receiver situation for the 49ers heading into Week 4:
| Rank | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Deebo Samuel (questionable) |
| 2 | Brandon Aiyuk |
| 3 | Jauan Jennings |
| 4 | Ronnie Bell |
| 5 | Chris Conley |
1. Deebo Samuel: Before getting injured, Samuel was performing like the superstar he is, racking up 164 receiving yards, 13 rushing yards, and a touchdown in the first two games. He remains one of the NFL’s most versatile players, but his availability for Sunday is still uncertain. If he can’t play, San Francisco has other capable receivers to step in.
2. Brandon Aiyuk: Aiyuk, who recently signed a new deal with the 49ers, hasn’t been as explosive this season as he was last year, accumulating just 119 yards on 20 catches through three games. However, he’s still a valuable target for Purdy, and if Samuel can’t go, Aiyuk will likely see more opportunities.
3. Jauan Jennings: Jennings stepped up big in Week 3 while Samuel was out, recording 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns. His impressive performance might lead to more involvement in the offense moving forward, but with Samuel and Aiyuk ahead of him, his long-term opportunities may still be limited.
4. Ronnie Bell: Bell has had a quiet season so far, with only one reception to his name. If Samuel remains sidelined, there’s a chance that Purdy could look to Bell for a few more plays.
5. Chris Conley: Conley rounds out the receiving corps but has had minimal involvement, with just one catch for four yards this season. If Samuel is out against the Patriots, he could see a few more snaps.
Deebo Samuel’s Fantasy Outlook for Week 4
If you have Deebo Samuel on your fantasy roster, he’s definitely worth considering for your lineup—unless you have several top-tier receivers who are fully healthy.
When he’s on the field, Samuel is heavily involved in the 49ers’ offense. His only touchdown so far this season came on a rushing play, and he had 110 receiving yards in Week 2 against the Vikings. Given that he practiced this week, the 49ers likely wouldn’t put him in the game just to use him as a decoy. If he’s healthy enough to play, Purdy will want to lean on him to help move the chains.
If Samuel does take the field against the Patriots, he’s projected to be a high-end WR2 with the potential for WR1 production. However, there’s still a chance he might need another week to recover from his calf injury, so it’s essential to keep an eye on his status leading up to the game.