Deebo Samuel’s broken foot will be one of the biggest stories of the 2020 season for the 49ers.
After suffering Jones’s broken foot, Samuel stated that he would return in 10 weeks, which was two to six weeks before the initially reported time period. NBC Sports’ Peter King reported Sunday in his Football Morning In America column that Samuel could be out until October while rehabilitating the injury. Samuel rejected the report on Instagram and told fans not to believe everything they read.
Deebo Samuel responds to speculation about Peter King’s report that he could be out until October. # 49ers // # 49wz pic.twitter.com/aDN7OE6RGE
– TheSFNiners (@TheSFNiners) July 20, 2020
While Samuel’s initial schedule for recovery was 12 to 16 weeks, Jones’ fractures are difficult injuries that often require more rehabilitation or even a second surgery. 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor had five surgeries for his fracture and eventually forced him to miss the entire 2019 season.
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Samuel’s 10-week prediction predicted he would be ready for Week 1, something that would surely be music to Kyle Shanahan’s ears. The sophomore receiver is expected to take over as the 49ers’ No. 1 receiver this year after Emmanuel Sanders left for the New Orleans Saints in free agency.
The South Carolina product really came towards the end of his rookie season, and was a key component of the 49ers’ offensive attack in their Super Bowl LIV loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, catching five passes for 39 yards and setting a Super Bowl record for yards rushing for a receiver at 53.
Samuel led all wide receivers in forced lost tackles with 25, and he was expected to make a big jump during his second NFL season. Former NFL receiver Chad Johnson has praised Samuel and recently retired Joe Staley claimed that Samuel could become the best NFL wide receiver.
[[[[RELATED: Report: Mostert, 49ers speak in an effort to clear the air]If Samuel can’t return for Week 1, then the 49ers will need Brandon Aiyuk, Jalen Hurd, Jauan Jennings and Taylor to step forward in his absence in order for the offense to be as efficient as it was in 2019.
The success of Samuel’s rehab will go a long way in determining the success of the 49ers’ 2020 Revenge Tour. The San Francisco roster is loaded and the team is poised to win now. But quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will need another catcher outside tight end George Kittle to prevent defenses from going in against the 49ers’ running game.
The 49ers can’t rush Samuel. But neither can they be without him in the depths of the season.
