49ers HC provides injury update on WR Deebo Samuel
The status of San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Deebo Samuel is still up in the air, heading into the NFC Championship Game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Samuel ( left shoulder) will miss practice Wednesday, and San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed it remains unclear whether the former Pro Bowler will play.
Samuel suffered the injury in the Niners' 24-21 divisional-round victory against the Green Bay Packers and didn't return to the game. In Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, the 28-year-old fractured his left shoulder, which sidelined him for two games. While he didn't refracture it, Shanahan said "it hurts," via Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper.
Samuel's impact on San Francisco's offense cannot be overstated. According to ESPN's Nick Wagoner, the 49ers averaged 7.1 yards per play in the regular season when he was on the field, compared to 5.7 yards when he wasn't. The 49ers also lost the two games he missed.
"I think he's probably the best playmaker in this league," 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy said Wednesday, via KNBR-FM in San Francisco. "You get the ball in his hands, he can do whatever he wants. Deebo definitely gives us some juice and energy and momentum. If he's not playing, that'll be tough on us, but we'll have guys ready to play as well."
Against Green Bay, Purdy's play wavered without his No. 1 WR. The second-year QB completed 22-of-39 passes for 252 yards, one TD and a below-average 86.7 passer rating.
The Lions defense is inconsistent, as it's 23rd in the league in points allowed (23.2). However, it has the second-most sacks in the postseason (six). The solid pass-rush could rattle Purdy, who might struggle without one of his best playmakers.
Still, as of Wednesday, FanDuel lists San Francisco as a seven-point favorite in its home game. The 49ers hope to make their second Super Bowl appearance in five years.
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