Samuel suffered a Jones fracture in his left foot while exercising with colleagues in Nashville in mid-June. He had surgery not long after in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and began training camp on the non-football injury list.
The preliminary timeline for a return was thought to be about 12 weeks, but Samuel and the Niners have actually maintained hope that it would be closer to 10 weeks and he would be available for the opener against Arizona.
While it stays to be seen whether Samuel will indeed practice next week and/or play against the Cardinals, Saturdays relocation was needed to ensure that he would at least be permitted to do so. Had Samuel remained on the non-football injury list at the time of Saturdays cutdown to the 53-man lineup, he would have needed to miss the first 6 weeks of the season.
The sooner Samuel can return, the much better for the Niners, who have actually faced a litany of injuries at the position throughout camp. Novice wideout Brandon Aiyuk is dealing with a hamstring pressure, though he is anticipated back quickly, and the group has actually already placed receivers Jalen Hurd, Tavon Austin and J.J. Nelson on hurt reserve with knee disorders. In addition, veteran Travis Benjamin decided out of the season before camp started because of coronavirus concerns.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan stated previously today that he hoped Samuel and Aiyuk would have the ability to go back to practice in the run-up to the opener.
Samuel became one of San Franciscos primary offensive weapons as a novice in 2019. He posted 57 catches for 802 backyards and 3 touchdowns, adding 159 backyards and three more scores hurrying.
SANTA CLARA, Calif.– With Week 1 quickly approaching, San Francisco 49ers pass receiver Deebo Samuel is one step more detailed to returning.
The 49ers are preparing to trigger Samuel from the non-football injury list on Saturday, a league source told ESPN, making him eligible to return to practice and potentially play in the season opener versus the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 13.
NBC Sports Bay Area initially reported Samuels activation.
