Deebo Samuel Injury: What We Know About the 49ers Receiver's Absence

Through the early part of the 2023 National Football League's (NFL) campaign, the San Francisco 49ers have stood tall as one of the league's top teams. Brock Purdy might not be a household name, but the lack of an elite quarterback hasn't slowed the NFC club down. A balanced offensive attack and a strong defense have kept San Fran rolling.

That offense, however, will have to make do without one of its top guns.

That would be Deebo Samuel, who is set to miss some time with a shoulder problem. But what's the receiver's actual diagnosis? And what can fans expect moving forward?

Let's take a closer look.

What Is Samuel's Actual Injury?

As most sports fans can confirm, it can be tough to get a read on the finer details of a specific affliction. Between the ambiguities of the injury report and coaches trying to keep things close to their chest, fans are usually left guessing about the status of their favorite players.

In Samuel's case, though, we do have some clarity.

On the 49ers' official injury report, the receiver is listed as having a shoulder problem. He didn't take part in any practices leading up to Week 7's Monday Night Football game, and the club officially ruled him out of the action.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan, however, provided a bit of additional insight and shared that Samuel has a hairline fracture in his shoulder.

How Did Samuel Get Hurt?

While tackling is a standard part of any football game, it's still dangerous. And it appears that some bad luck during a bit of physical contact is what sent Samuel to the sidelines.

According to the 49ers official website, he suffered an injury on the first offensive play against the Cleveland Browns last week. The receiver carried the ball one additional time and was targeted on an incomplete pass before exiting the game.

"(Samuel) just took a shot on the shoulder," Shanahan said. "It didn't look overly big or anything. It just connected right, so it got him."

When Will Samuel Return from Injury?

Again, nailing down an exact timeline for a player's return to the lineup can be tricky. Given that each athlete is unique, no two situations are the same; everyone recovers differently and has their own pain tolerance.

In Samuel's case, though, we do have at least one clue.

According to Shanahan, the receiver will miss at least two games: Week 7's Monday night engagement and Week 8's visit from the Bengals. After that, the 49ers will head on bye. The club will presumably use that week off to let Samuel recover and then see how he's feeling.

San Francisco then returns to action in Week 10 at Jacksonville. If the club's head coach is correct, that's the earliest we'll see Samuel suit up.

The Niners Should be Capable of Handling his Absence

Any time a team loses a starter, it's reasonable to assume the worst. The team's top players, after all, occupy their roles for a reason.

In this case, though, the Niners are probably capable of treading water without Samuel, at least for a few weeks.

Thus far in 2023, San Francisco has leaned on a balanced offensive attack. Christian McCaffrey's dual-threat ability (553 rushing yards and 177 receiving yards heading into Monday Night Football) leads the way, but Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are also capable of making things happen whenever they touch the ball. George Kittle is also one of the game's top tight ends, even if he hasn't been at his best this season.

So, while things might have to be adjusted on the fly—Jordan Mason could absorb Samuel's carries, while Aiyuk, Kittle, and McCaffrey can divide his passing targets—the talent is there.

And the upcoming matchups aren't too scary for Shanahan and company. The Vikings are 2-4 and sit squarely in the middle of the pack when it comes to defending the run; that's a golden opportunity for San Francisco to control the game on the ground.

After that, the Bengals will visit the Bay Area. The AFC North squad has been dangerous in recent years, but the 2023 campaign has been a different story. And even if Joe Burrow and his offense hit their stride, Cincy's defense is allowing more than 350 yards per game this year. That reality should help mitigate Samuels' absence.

And while injuries may be a drag, they're unfortunately one of the most universal parts of sports. Every team, whether they're in the penthouse or the cellar, has an equal chance of having an unfortunate absence.

The 49ers were bitten by that injury bug; now we'll just have to wait and see how the club can respond. If anything, keeping their hot start going without Samuel will make the club seem that much more impressive.