2 min read • June 18, 2022
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Even though WR Deebo Samuel reported to the San Francisco 49ers mandatory OTAs on June 7, the star player and organization remain at odds although in terms of health, Samuel is clean and enters 2022 with an SIC score of a 94.
While the NFL world waits for Samuel to be traded or extended, it’s worth taking a look at his detailed injury history.
In 2021, during his breakout season, Samuel missed a total of two games. The “Wide Back” dealt with a calf stain, shin bruise, and groin strain all during the 2021 regular season.
Two years ago, the former Gamecock suffered a significant injury during the offseason that leaked into the regular season. Just before the 2020 season began, Samuel suffered a Jones’ fracture in his left foot that held him out of the first three games.
Samuel also suffered a hamstring strain in Week 7, and missed another 3 games. On the first play of Week 14, Samuel aggravated his hamstring and was immediately shutdown for the remainder of what turned out to be an injury-riddled season.
After such an up and down, trying year - Samuel was very open and said he dealt with mental health issues. 2021 was a refreshing change of pace, and Samuel responded well leading the NFL in yards per reception (18.2) while averaging 6.2 yards per carry in a duel-threat role.
Our panel of Pro Football Docs see no issues for Samuel going forward but hold a small amount of concern that Samuel could possibly suffer another Jones’ fracture, but to his right side, the opposite side of the one he suffered in 2020.
Most people inside the NFL believe that the 49ers will begin the season with QB Trey Lance as their starter. Lance is expected to make the offense more explosive, and the team has many mouths to feed besides Samuel including stud TE George Kittle, Arizona State alum WR Brandon Aiyuk and incumbent starting RB Elijah Mitchell. Although a talented and crowded offense room, Samuel should fine a way to produce at his normal clip due to how he is used in the offense (how the 49ers will split his snaps between RB and WR remains the question).
Although the contract negotiations have clouded his 2022 outlook, expect Samuel to be a valuable fantasy asset in all formats with the negotiations being the most worrisome factor not his injury history.
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#49ers WR Deebo Samuel suffered a broken foot on Tuesday during a throwing session with teammates in Nashville and will be having surgery today, I’m told. It is a Jones fracture, and he should be able to be on the field early in the season.
