The San Francisco 49ers are comfortable they escaped Saturday evening with a 24-21 win over the Inexperienced Bay Packers to maneuver on to the NFC Championship Recreation.
It was a recreation the place the Niners wanted a late-game landing run from Christian McCaffrey to drag forward, and the protection got here up clutch with an interception of Packers quarterback Jordan Like to ice it.
Nonetheless, the absence of versatile 49ers broad receiver Deebo Samuel was palpable on this one after he suffered a left shoulder harm within the first quarter. Whereas he was initially cleared to return, he was seen in road garments on the sideline all through the second half.
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Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers warms up earlier than the NFC divisional playoff recreation towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Jan. 20, 2024. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Photographs)
Now, the 49ers anxiously wait to see the outcomes of a number of checks he underwent on Sunday.
What San Fran hopes is that Samuel didn’t undergo the identical hairline fracture that saved him sidelined for 2 video games through the common season. Each of these video games resulted in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings on “Thursday Evening Soccer” and the Cincinnati Bengals.
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned he wasn’t positive in regards to the severity of Samuel’s harm, although ESPN reported Samuel having an opportunity to play subsequent Sunday towards the winner of the Detroit Lions-Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC divisional recreation on Sunday.
Samuel is a matchup nightmare for any protection he faces as a result of he is without doubt one of the most elusive offensive weapons within the NFL, creating tons of yards after the catch. It’s why the 49ers additionally use him within the backfield on run performs and jet sweeps, permitting him to get some house to work his magic.
Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers takes the sector previous to the divisional spherical playoff recreation towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Jan. 20, 2024. (Michael Owens/Getty Photographs)
“When Deebo is in there, and also you match him with Christian and swap them round and stuff like that, it makes our offense what I feel is totally different than every other offense within the NFL,” tight finish George Kittle, who scored a landing to assist beat the Packers, mentioned through ESPN.
“So, am I involved about him not enjoying subsequent week? Yeah, we’re a distinct group with out Deebo.”
Second-year quarterback Brock Purdy nonetheless has gamers to work with, like McCaffrey, Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings. However Samuel’s presence, like Kittle mentioned, opens issues up due to the eye he requires.
Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the sector with an harm through the divisional spherical playoff recreation towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Jan. 20, 2024. (Michael Owens/Getty Photographs)
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Samuel’s checks will decide whether or not he can play within the recreation that the 49ers hope goes of their favor as they intention for a visit to Las Vegas for Tremendous Bowl LVIII.
