After missing the previous game to injury guess who’s making a return back to strengthen the team, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported late Saturday night that Deebo Samuel, the former South Carolina football star, is expected to return on Sunday to play for the San Francisco 49ers.
Samuel missed last week’s game due to a calf injury and is listed as questionable on the team’s injury report. However, Schultz’s report indicates that the talented playmaker intends to play despite the designation.
In the first two games of the 2024 season, Samuel recorded 13 receptions for 164 yards, along with a rushing touchdown and 10 first downs. He started the season strong, and with his return, he aims for another Pro Bowl appearance. With star running back Christian McCaffrey out, Samuel’s role is likely to expand, assuming he can handle the physical demands.
During his time at South Carolina, Deebo Samuel was one of the most dynamic players ever to don the garnet and black. He holds the career record for the most kickoff return touchdowns in program history, having returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2017 on just two attempts.
Samuel is also the only player in the program’s history to score on kickoff returns in three different seasons, with one touchdown in 2016, two in 2017, and one in 2018. His four touchdowns came from only 26 total returns, giving him an impressive scoring rate of over 15% from November 2016 to November 2018.
Samuel was also an elite receiver for the Gamecocks, ranking in the top 11 for receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, despite playing fewer games than everyone above him except Sidney Rice. His versatility was evident as he scored 7 rushing touchdowns on just 25 carries and also threw for two touchdowns.
