49ers' Deebo Samuel Out vs. Rams Because of Hamstring Injury
Oct 28, 2022
ATLANTA, GA OCTOBER 16: San Francisco wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) warms up prior to the start of the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons on October 16th, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Deebo Samuel will miss Sunday's game against the NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams due to a hamstring injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Samuel is coming off a career year in 2021. He caught 77 passes for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns, and he carried the ball 59 times for 365 yards and eight scores. He earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for the first time.
He has remained productive in seven games this season, making 32 grabs for 387 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 138 yards and one score on 24 carries.
In the spring, it looked like the South Carolina product would follow fellow wide receivers Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill in engineering an exit from his current team when he requested a trade. Instead, he and the 49ers achieved a lucrative resolution as he signed a three-year, $71.6 million extension.
Retaining Samuel was critical for San Francisco because Trey Lance's injury paved the way for Jimmy Garoppolo's return to the starting role. George Kittle hasn't played a full season since 2018, either, and the trend carried over into 2022 with him missing the start of the year.
Kittle is back healthy and promises to be one of Garoppolo's primary targets Sunday, along with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Running back Christian McCaffrey also figures to be a big part of the passing game, while wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud could have the biggest offensive role of his career as well.
Deebo Samuel, Ezekiel Elliott, NFL Injury Statuses and Fantasy Impact for Week 8
Oct 28, 2022
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 23: Joshua Williams #23 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Ezekiel Elliott is in danger of missing Week 8.
Elliott is suffering from a knee injury and he was officially listed as doubtful on the Dallas Cowboys injury report on Friday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Meanwhile, Deebo Samuel has been dealing with a hamstring issue that has forced him to miss all of the San Francisco 49ers' practices this week. He has been ruled out.
Dallas is far better equipped to deal with the Elliott injury because it has Tony Pollard waiting in reserve to start. San Francisco's offense could be affected more, which could lead to more touches for Christian McCaffrey.
Below is a look at all of the injuries that could affect fantasy football matchups in Week 8.
Ryan Tannehill, QB, TEN: questionable (ankle), per NFL.com.
Brandin Cooks, WR, HOU: questionable (wrist), per NFL.com.
Nico Collins, WR, HOU: questionable (groin), per NFL.com.
Jahan Dotson, WR, WSH: out (hamstring), per NFL.com.
DK Metcalf, WR, SEA: did not practice this week (knee), per Rapoport.
Allen Lazard, WR, GB: out (shoulder), per Schefter.
Deebo Samuel Dealing With Hamstring Issue
Before being ruled out, Deebo Samuel was not present at the start of San Francisco 49ers practice on Friday, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner.
#49ers WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring) not on the field for the third straight days during early open portion of practice. Not a good sign for his availability on Sunday against the Rams but Kyle Shanahan will have his official status in about an hour.
Not having Samuel on the field is obviously a major blow to the 49ers, but it is not as bad as it would have been two weeks ago.
Christian McCaffrey will likely receive a larger workload. Jeff Wilson Jr. may be included more because the 49ers like to use Samuel in the run game in some capacity.
Jimmy Garoppolo should try to get George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk more involved in the passing game against the Los Angeles Rams, so that leaves very little room for unproven players or fantasy gems to shine.
Jauan Jennings would be the only 49ers player worth picking up on the waiver wire, if you had to, but his production is not guaranteed with McCaffrey, Kittle and Aiyuk expected to receive plenty of attention in a crucial NFC West clash with the Los Angeles Rams.
Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton from the New York Giants would be two of the players to target to replace Samuel on fantasy rosters. New York could be involved in a high-scoring game with the Seattle Seahawks, and both wideouts could have high target rates.
George Pickens of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis' Parris Campbell could be available as well as replacements.
Ezekiel Elliott Listed As Doubtful
The Dallas Cowboys do not have a positive outlook for their top running back ahead of Sunday's clash with the Chicago Bears. Elliott was officially listed as doubtful on the Cowboys injury report.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed the value of the bye week when managing Elliott's knee injury on a radio hit with 105.3 The Fan in Dallas (h/t Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News):
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hinted on @1053thefan Ezekiel Elliott won’t play Sunday vs. Bears. On value of bye next week: “It had everything to do with how we’re doing this this weekend with this bye coming up. I’m not so sure we would’ve done it this way had we not had the bye.”
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy noted that Elliott has a chance to play on Sunday if he practices on Saturday, per Gehlken:
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy RB Ezekiel Elliott (knee): “The only chance he has of playing [Sunday] is if he keeps going at the rate he is going.” Elliott is doing better than Cowboys expected, McCarthy added. Elliott has chance to play vs. Bears if he practices Saturday. pic.twitter.com/NnlMStUQZU
The Cowboys will not be in dire straits if Elliott is unable to go on Sunday. They would give Tony Pollard the majority of snaps at running back. Pollard has had at least eight carries in all but one of his appearances this season.
Pollard had 23 carries in the last two weeks, and he produced four receptions on five targets in the passing game.
Dallas' backup running back is rostered in a majority of fantasy football leagues, so you will have to look elsewhere on the waiver wire to find a potential replacement for Elliott.
Arizona's Eno Benjamin would be the top option, if he is available, because James Conner has been ruled out for Week 8.
Carolina's D'Onta Foreman should be another waiver-wire option considered by those in need of an Elliott replacement. Foreman is set to take on the bulk of the touches with Chuba Hubbard ruled out.
Michael Carter of the New York Jets could also be considered. He could have a larger role in Week 8 while the newly acquired James Robinson gets used to the offense. Robinson arrived in a trade earlier this week after Breece Hall's season was confirmed over.
Fantasy Football Week 8: Top 100 Players' Updated Trade Value and Advice
Oct 27, 2022
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 23: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi's Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
We're in the thick of it now. The bye weeks are in full swing, the fantasy players with bad fantasy teams are realizing they are probably sunk, and the good teams are ready to load up for a playoff push.
We've hit Peak Fantasy Trade Szn, folks.
So the weekly fantasy trade chart is here to help. As always, it's best used as a guide to give you a general understanding of the trade value of your players and potential targets, but you'll want to keep your league rules and lineup format in mind. Any player not listed below has a value of one. PPR scoring was used to determine the rankings.
And of course, may the fantasy points be with you!
Trade Value: 15
1. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
2. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
3. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills
Trade Value: 14
4. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
5. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
6. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
7. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
8. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Trade Value: 13
9. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
10. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
11. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
12. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
13. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
Trade Value: 12
14. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
15. Leonard Fournette, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
17. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings
18. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers
19. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
20. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
Trade Value: 11
21. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
22. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
23. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
24. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
25. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Trade Value: 10
26. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
27. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers
28. Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans
29. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
30. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
31. D'Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions
32. Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns
33. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Trade Value: 9
34. Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
35. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
36. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
37. Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
38. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
39. Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
40. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
Trade Value: 8
41. Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
42. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
43. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
44. James Robinson, RB, New York Jets
45. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
46. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
47. Gabe Davis, WR, Buffalo Bills
48. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
49. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
50. Allen Lazard, WR, Green Bay Packers
51. Jakobi Meyers, WR, New England Patriots
Trade Value: 7
52. Zach Ertz, TE, Arizona Cardinals
53. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
54. David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns
55. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
56. Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals
57. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
Trade Value: 6
58. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
59. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
60. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
61. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
62. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
63. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
64. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
Trade Value: 5
65. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
66. Darrell Henderson Jr., RB, Los Angeles Rams
67. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington Commanders
68. Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears
69. David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears
70. Devin Singletary, RB, Buffalo Bills
71. Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins
72. Darren Waller, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
73. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Trade Value: 4
74. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
75. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
76. Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders
77. Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
78. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos
79. Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Trade Value: 3
80. Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens
81. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
82. Brian Robinson, RB, Washington Commanders
83. D'Onta Foreman, RB, Carolina Panthers
84. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
85. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Detroit Lions
86. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
87. Mecole Hardman, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
88. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
89. D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers
Trade Value: 2
90. Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants
91. Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
92. Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings
93. Jamaal Williams, RB, Detroit Lions
94. Kareem Hunt, RB, Cleveland Browns
95. Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys
96. Michael Carter, RB, New York Jets
97. Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams
98. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
99. A.J. Dillon, RB, Green Bay Packers
100. Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints
The Christian McCaffrey deal is likely going to have reverberations for the trade value chart in the weeks to come.
For starters, the already-valuable McCaffrey is only going to benefit from playing on a better offense with a better coaching staff and scheme. He was borderline untouchable before the trade, but don't be shocked if he eventually becomes fantasy's most productive player.
The 49ers can have a dangerously versatile offense with Christian McCaffrey 😳
"If you just put Christian McCaffrey where Jeff Wilson is or where Ty Davis-Price is, it's a waste of getting him." —@Realrclark25pic.twitter.com/4qMKSckBEi
His addition, however, means that the Niners may not need Deebo Samuel to operate in as much of a Swiss Army knife role. Much of Samuel's usage as a running back in the past has come down to need, but the Niners have McCaffrey and Jeff Wilson and will get back Elijah Mitchell back at some point in November.
Samuel is going to remain valuable, but the diversity of touches he receives will diminish.
Deebo Samuel averaged 5.7 rush attempts per game from Weeks 1 through 3. Since, that number's been 1.8. Week 7 marked the first time he failed to hit double-digit PPR points in a game this season.
Brandon Aiyuk, meanwhile, is an interesting case. He's emerged as a legitimate weekly flex candidate, especially in PPR leagues, but McCaffrey is an elite receiver out of the backfield and could see some of the targets that might have otherwise gone Aiyuk's way.
Jimmy Garoppolo's strength isn't pushing the ball down the field. McCaffrey is likely going to feast in this offense, but it might come at the slight expense of Samuel and Aiyuk.
That makes Aiyuk a legitimate sell-high candidate, though Samuel is too talented and productive to expect his production to drop enough to cut ties with him.
Most avoided tackles by a WR on receptions this season
1. Deebo Samuel - 21 2. Cooper Kupp - 13 3. Garrett Wilson - 10 👀👀👀 4t. A.J. Brown - 9 4t. Parris Campbell - 9 👀👀👀 4t. Tyreek Hill - 9
And then there is George Kittle, who is finally thriving this season after a slow start, with 14 catches for 181 yards and a score on 19 targets in his last two games. Kittle's role probably won't diminish much with McCaffrey on board. If anything, he feels like an excellent buy-low candidate, though your chances of pulling that off are diminishing by the week.
As for which Panthers running back you should be pursuing via trade if you missed out on waivers, well, that remains up in the air, as both played well on Sunday. D'Onta Foreman came into the day with more production on the year and ultimately received six more touches, though Chuba Hubbard was technically the starter.
The smart money is on Foreman to emerge as the more valuable fantasy running back, but for now, don't pay RB2 prices to acquire him. The situation in Carolina is worth a wait-and-see approach.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel Says He Doesn't Know What Jalen Ramsey Was Doing on 57-Yard TD
Oct 4, 2022
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes for a touchdown as he breaks a tackle by cornerback Jalen Ramsey #5 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 03, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel took advantage of an off-balance Jalen Ramsey on his 57-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter of Monday's 24-9 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Samuel said he was puzzled by Ramsey's approach against him in the open field.
"Yeah, I don't know what he was doing out there," Samuel said. "I just went right by him. He was just backpedaling, I was like, 'What's going on?'"
After catching a pass from Jimmy Garoppolo that easily could have been picked off by Derion Kendrick, Samuel made four Rams defenders miss as he worked his way into the end zone.
Ramsey was the last line of defense, but he took a bad angle that allowed Samuel to break a tackle and give San Francisco a 14-6 lead late in the first half.
Monday marked the first time Samuel looked like he did during his All-Pro campaign in 2021. The 26-year-old had a season-high six catches and 115 yards in the win. He created almost all of those yards, with 109 yards coming after the catch.
Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Samuel's 699 yards after the catch since entering the league in 2019 are the most in the NFL. He's also the only player with more than 500 YAC yards during that span.
San Francisco's offense took off last season when Samuel became the focal point. He ranked third in the NFL with 1,770 yards from scrimmage and tied for seventh with 14 total touchdowns.
If Samuel can keep up the level of play he showed Monday, combined with how the defense has played all season, the 49ers figure to be very dangerous in the NFC once again.
San Francisco 49ers' Recipe for Success in 2022 Is Simple: Deebo and D
Brent Sobleski
Oct 4, 2022
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes for a touchdown as he breaks a tackle by cornerback Jalen Ramsey #5 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 03, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The letter of the day in San Francisco is "D" for Deebo Samuel, DeMeco Ryans and dominant defense. All three will continue to serve as the guiding force behind whatever success the 49ers experience this season. The blueprint is simple yet effective.
Ryans' résumé, in particular, received a significant boost with San Francisco's 24-9 victory Monday over the rival Los Angeles Rams. But the defensive coordinator had help, which is a common theme to this campaign.
Defensive end Nick Bosa made a prophetic statement in August when asked about unproven quarterback Trey Lance.
"I think he's in probably the best position you could be in as a first-year quarterback with a defense like us and a good O-line and a bunch of weapons," Bosa told reporters. "He's got all the help he needs. ... I think if he doesn't make big mistakes, then we're going to be in good shape."
Those same things now apply to Jimmy Garoppolo.
Kyle Shanahan's squad is very much in the thick of things since all the NFC West squads are 2-2, though technically the Niners lead the group with a 2-0 division record.
Unlike with other teams, however, the quarterback isn't the focal point. The 49ers have a great defense. The offensive line could be better, but the scheme is tried and true. The skill position players, particularly Samuel, make life easier on all parties.
Samuel's ability to create after the catch borders on magical. The warlock in shoulder pads concocted 100 yards after the catch on his six receptions and tallied 115 yards.
His 57-yard second-quarter touchdown will be one of the season's best highlights.
So much to like with this one play. First, he made himself quickly available on 3rd-and-3. Garoppolo threw high with cornerback Derion Kendrick driving on the ball, and Samuel plucked it out of the air. If the play had ended there, Samuel would have done his job very well. But he's special and morphs into a running back once the ball is in his hands. He forced three missed tackles on his way to the end zone.
During the final frame, Samuel ran a simple wide receiver screen on 3rd-and-13 and turned it into a 29-yard gain.
Garoppolo threw for two air yards on those plays, which resulted in 86 yards.
Garoppolo doesn't need to push the ball down the field for the San Francisco offense to create chunk plays, especially when the unit's $71.6 million man becomes involved.
Samuel's four plays of 50 or more yards since the start of the 2021 campaign are more than 30 of the league's offenses managed during that span, per CBS Sports' Doug Clawson. In fact, the 26-year-old's 699 yards after contact over expected are the most in the NFL since the start of the '19 season, with no other playing eclipsing 500, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Get the ball into Samuel's hands and let him go to work.
On the other side of the ball, the 49ers defense goes to work on every play and tends to get the ball in its hands at some point. San Francisco forced two fourth-quarter turnovers, including a game-sealing, 52-yard pick-six by safety Talanoa Hufanga.
Hufanga is the unit's newest difference-maker. The second-year player sniffed out the Rams' plan based on the wide receivers' releases and turned it into a scoring opportunity.
"You can smell a rat when it comes to those things," Hufanga told reporters.
It's clear how the unit flies to the football. It is fast, smart and physical. Hufanga's nose for the ball creates a completely different dynamic among the group.
"What's great is that here's a guy that looks like he's moving faster than everyone else," Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott said on Murph and Mac (via the San Jose Mercury News' Jerry McDonald). "And what I mean by that is his anticipation of understanding the moment."
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: Safety Talanoa Hufanga #29 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a Los Angeles Rams fumble during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 03, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Along the second line, Fred Warner is perhaps the game's best middle linebacker. How many other linebackers casually carry and cover Cooper Kupp down the seam? Warner is different.
"A true three-down linebacker, can be the quarterback of a complex defense, can blitz, great in coverage, great awareness," an NFL personnel evaluator told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler this summer. "He's the safest bet."
Meanwhile, Dre Greenlaw quietly led the 49ers on Monday with 15 tackles.
Up front, Bosa is a game-wrecker. The descriptor isn't just a platitude, either. As Pro Football Focus' John Owning noted, the site credited the two-time Pro Bowler with 14 pressures against a makeshift Rams front five. He leads in the NFL in pressures through four games, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner.
Ryans brings the group together and elevates its play. Going into Monday's contest, San Francisco already claimed the league's top-ranked defense.
The Rams managed 257 yards, including 14 receptions for 122 yards from Kupp. Even so, Los Angeles never seemed to threaten the San Francisco defense. The 49ers basically implemented the Jordan rules, letting Kupp get his but not allowing the all-world receiver to beat them by himself.
The 38-year-old Ryans put together an outstanding game plan with well-timed blitzes complemented by discipline in the second and third levels. San Francisco didn't allow a single play over 18 yards. The Rams averaged 3.2 yards per carry.
San Francisco has been good on defense for some time. During the franchise's '19 run to Super Bowl LIV, the 49ers allowed 281.8 yards per contest. Now, they're even better, surrendering 234.5 yards per game.
The difference lies within Ryans. First, he brings a more aggressive mentality than previous defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 25: Defensive Coordinator DeMeco Ryans and Linebackers Coach Johnny Holland of the San Francisco 49ers on the sideline during the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on September 25, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the 49ers 11-10. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
"I always messed with Saleh because I said I don't think he's ever lost a dollar in his life gambling because Saleh doesn't want to gamble too much," Shanahan told The Athletic's Tim Kawakami in June 2021. "I think DeMeco will do that a little bit more. Sometimes there's a little risk in that, but sometimes there's some reward also."
A certain level of respect is also afforded Ryans by his players since he played 10 years in the league, made two Pro Bowls and even earned second-team All-Pro honors once.
"He knows what it takes as a defensive player, he knows what it takes in the league," cornerback Jason Verrett said last year, per Wagoner. "He's done a hell of a job getting the guys up front going. It all starts upfront, and then it ends on the back end. ... It's been very relatable for us."
The saying "defense wins championships" may be cliché, but it's one way to win. The 49ers will rarely enter a contest with an advantage at the game's most important position. Instead, Shanahan and Co. can rely on three D's: Deebo, DeMeco and defense.
Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @brentsobleski.
Deebo Samuel Hyped By Odell Beckham Jr., Russell Wilson, More in 49ers' Win vs. Rams
Oct 4, 2022
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by safety Nick Scott #33 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 03, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers offense was firmly under the spotlight heading into another prime-time game after an ugly performance in an 11-10 loss to the Denver Broncos, but Deebo Samuel apparently thrives on center stage.
Samuel spearheaded the offensive effort in a 24-9 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, helping his team improve to 2-2 on the season. He finished with six catches for 115 yards and onetouchdown that came on an incredible individual effort after he had to fight off a defender just to catch the underneath throw by Jimmy Garoppolo.
While Jeff Wilson Jr. started the scoring for the home team with a 32-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, it was Samuel's brilliance that stood out in the second quarter.
He hauled in a short pass, turned on the jets, broke through a poor tackling effort by Jalen Ramsey and went all the way to the end zone for a 57-yard touchdown. San Francisco never looked back from there, and he earned plenty of praise on social media:
It wasn't lost on some fans that it was far from a perfect throw, but Garoppolo is at his best as a game manager who avoids mistakes and gets the ball to playmakers like Samuel. He didn't do that against the Broncos when he stepped out the back of the end zone for a safety and threw a late interception, but he did against the division-rival Rams.
It wasn't all Samuel, as San Francisco's defense overwhelmed Matthew Stafford and Co.
The 49ers finished with seven sacks with Nick Bosa leading the way as an absolute force along the defensive front, and Talanoa Hufanga all but clinched the win with a pick-six in the fourth quarter.
If the defense and Samuel play like they did Monday, the 49ers should have no trouble moving to 3-2 with a Week 5 date against the Carolina Panthers.
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