2 min read • August 30, 2020
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We opined in the middle of June that Deebo Samuel was likely to miss the start of the season and would be a PUP candidate. He put up 802 yards on 57 catches in his rookie season last year, including an impressive 8.3 yards after catch average. There is no reason to rush back this year but with the recent Brandon Aiyuk injury the 49ers receiving corps continues to take major hits which may change their original plan. Second year receiver Jalen Hurd has yet to play an NFL game and will miss this year with a torn ACL while depth wideout Richie James has been out since June with a wrist fracture. James is still on the active Non-Football injury list and is likely to miss the first week at least. New wide receiver J.J. Nelson, who was signed due to the numerous wideout injuries, was placed on season ending injured reserve with a knee injury. The combination of injuries at this position may force San Francisco's hand with Samuel. It has long been my impression that the 49ers don't want to push him to avoid the chance of a second surgery. In a perfect world, we believe the 49ers would like to bring him off the active PUP list midseason due to the slow healing nature of the fracture but at this point they may no longer have the luxury of being patient. There would be a higher risk of recurrence for this foot fracture if he’s rushed back.
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