Deebo Samuel expected to be back this season after MCL sprain

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) is carted off after an injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

49ers star Deebo Samuel reportedly expected to be back sometime this season after MCL sprain

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 12/12/22

At 9-4 and in first place in the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers have to be feeling good about their chances to reach the postseason this year and potentially make a run.

Those hopes seemed to take a major hit when star wideout Deebo Samuel left Sunday's 35-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter with what looked like a leg injury. Samuel left the field on a car in tears, so there was reason to expect that he'd eventually receive an unfavorable prognosis.

Thankfully, that won't be the case for Samuel, though. Instead of missing the rest of this season, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN is reporting that Samuel may actually be able to make it back sometime before the end of the season.

What a turnaround, and what a piece of good news for the 49ers.

49ers star receiver Deebo Samuel suffered a knee (MCL) sprain and an ankle sprain, per source. Expected to return at some point in the regular season.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 12, 2022

The 49ers have two home games and two road games left this season. They play at the Seattle Seahawks (7-6), against the Washington Commanders (7-5-1), at the Las Vegas Raiders (5-8), and against the Arizona Cardinals (4-8).

Samuel has caught 54 passes for 612 yards and two touchdowns this season, averaging 11.3 yards per catch. He's also rushed 41 times for 228 yards and three scores.

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