Deebo Samuel Injury Exposes Bigger Problem for 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have been able to survive a lot of injuries this season. While Deebo Samuel was a late addition this offseason, the team missing him for the next couple of weeks is really going to test what the offense can do.

San Francisco 49ers pass catchers must step up after Deebo Samuel injury 

As things stand, the 49ers are very top-heavy in their pass-catching corps. The room has 137 total targets. There are four players who make up 107 of those targets. Samuel has 16 receptions for 206 yards this season. Of those, 80 came on a trick play where he did not even make the reception.

So, even as the fourth option, he was not bringing much. Still, he had to be respected as a legitimate option. The offense lost Jake Tonges for the season earlier in the year. Kyle Juszczyk is going to miss the next couple of weeks as well. Even Demarcus Robinson is currently fifth on the team in targets, and he is on the IR. 

Without Samuel, the offense is highly reliant on Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Mike Evans.

Jacob Cowing has five targets and just one reception. Jordan Watkins has 60 yards on two receptions. Luke Farrell is playing more due to the injuries but is a blocking option who has two receptions for 19 yards.