Getty Deebo Samuel tries to break past Lavonte David on December 11, 2022 in Santa Clara.
The San Francisco 49ers — already stung with a bevy of injuries from the quarterback position, to the backfield to the defensive line — suffered their latest blow during the second quarter of their Sunday, December 11 home rout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers involving Deebo Samuel.
The wide receiver had to leave the game with a left knee injury during the second quarter, which occurred on a running play. Samuel’s knee appeared to bend awkwardly and had to be carted off while the 49ers led 21-0 before halftime against the visiting Buccaneers before rolling to the 35-7 romp. Samuel’s ailment was first ruled a knee injury per 49ers insider David Lombardi of The Athletic.
Officially a knee injury for Deebo Samuel, according to the 49ers
Erin Andrews of Fox Sports later revealed after halftime that Samuel’s injury was upgraded to an ankle ailment.
But there was this positive report via NFL insider Jordan Schultz from The Score during the game:
“Early indications are that #49ers WR Deebo Samuel did not suffer a serious injury, sources tell @theScore. I’m told the First-Team All-Pro WR badly twisted his ankle, but the team is optimistic he’s okay. Deebo will undergo more tests as a precaution,” Schultz posted.
Samuel Tried to Walk Away Under Own Power
Per Lombardi, he described how Samuel tried to walk off under his own power…but struggled.
“Deebo Samuel got up, tried to hop off the field, yelled in frustration and fell back down. The cart is out,” Lombardi tweeted.
Brad Graham of @TheSFNiners, though, caught video of a visibly frustrated Samuel once he had to be carted off.
#49ers Deebo Samuel visibly upset after being carted off the field with a leg injury 🙏
Teammates of Samuel immediately cleared the sidelines to console the 49ers All-Pro. Samuel produced four carries for 21 yards on the ground. He scored the 49ers’ opening touchdown through this toss play:
Also, he was leading the 49ers in receptions with four catches for 43 yards. Following the injury, supporters online immediately sent him well wishes including former 49ers teammate Richard Sherman.
Damn not @19problemz! Prayers up for him.
Legendary 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, however, vented his frustrations on social media by sending this suggestion to Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers’ play-calling:
Jerry Rice is not happy after Deebo’s injury
[via @JerryRice]
Insider Shares Best Case Scenario for Samuel/49ers
NBC Sports Bay Area insider and columnist Matt Maiocco helped provide this final post game update on Samuel’s ailment.
“It kind of leads you to believe with the pain that he was in, it was a high ankle sprain,” Maiocco said.
Maiocco then shared what he believed would be best for the 49ers at this stage involving Samuel.
“I think the base case scenario for the 49ers would be just to be in a situation where he’s ready to go for the postseason,” Maiocco said. “Because at this point, I don’t see the 49ers not being in the postseason. I don’t see them being any worse than the No. 3 seed. So in essence, the 49ers have accomplished a lot of their goals. They have another one obviously on Thursday night to kind of check that box for that NFC West title. But once you get into the postseason, that’s a whole new year and a whole new season and they need Deebo Samuel healthy.”
“The hope is that Deebo Samuel will be healthy for those games when the sudden death tournament starts.” – @maioccoNBCS
The 49ers are already dealing with an influx of injuries as Samuel becomes the latest. Last week in the 33-17 romp of the Miami Dolphins quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had to leave with a foot fracture. The QB position already lost original QB1 Trey Lance to a right ankle fracture in Week 2.
Meanwhile on defense, the 49ers lost defensive tackle Kevin Givens during the Bucs game with a knee injury and was listed as questionable to return. The defense also had to go without fellow interior defenders Hassan Ridgeway (pec) and Javon Kinlaw (knee).