SANTA CLARA — Deebo Samuel’s physicality and play-making capability has been ever-present within the 49ers’ duels with the Los Angeles Rams since 2019. That may change Sunday, when he sits out the 49ers’ go to to SoFi Stadium.
Samuel’s hamstring pressure saved him from practising all week, making Christian McCaffrey’s arrival through commerce final week much more well timed to assist fill the offensive void.
The 49ers have a bye subsequent weekend, however that didn’t essentially issue into Samuel’s standing this recreation.
“It’s not a precaution. He’s not adequate to go,” coach Kyle Shanahan stated. “The actual fact even had an opportunity hopefully he’ll be good with every week off and be prepared for the following recreation.”
The 49ers offense additionally will likely be with out fullback Kyle Juszczyk (finger), whereas the protection gained’t have linebacker Dre Greenlaw (calf) and defensive deal with Arik Armstead (foot, ankle).
Questionable are cornerback Jason Verrett, who obtained activated to the roster this week amid knee rehabilitation, and large receiver Jauan Jennings (hamstring).
With out Samuel and probably Jennings, Brandon Aiyuk will lead a receiving crops whose different choices embrace Ray-Ray McCloud, no-catch rookie Danny Grey and certain a callup from the observe squad, that being both Malik Turner, Willie Snead IV or Tay Martin.
After all, Jimmy Garoppolo has two different Professional Bowl-proven targets, too, in tight finish George Kittle and new operating again Christian McCaffrey.
Jimmy Garoppolo likes what he’s seen from Aiyuk in his third season, saying: “B.A. has taken some huge steps. Actually within the final couple weeks, it’s been superior. It’s been actually cool to see. B.A. is a fairly quiet man total, however when he will get speaking and he’s saying issues to youthful guys and also you see it, simply his demeanor, how he carries himself, his presence is felt.”
Aiyuk’s 32 receptions are tied with Samuel for the staff lead. When Samuel missed 5 video games in 2020 with a hamstring damage, Aiyuk stepped up and scored in three of these video games.
Verrett is eligible to make his season debut after getting activated off an damage record Wednesday, however the extra doubtless situation is the 49ers follow final recreation’s beginning unit of Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenior, with Jimmie Ward at nickel again.
REHAB SIGHTS
The 49ers determine to deliver again a number of gamers off short-term injured reserve following subsequent week’s bye, and possibly the likeliest candidate is operating again Elijah Mitchell, whose knee sprain within the season opener was projected as a two-month damage.
Mitchell was seen rehabilitating on a aspect subject Friday, together with linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and offensive deal with Colton McKivitz, whose knee sprains doubtless will hold them sidelined a bit longer.
Defensive deal with Javon Kinlaw got here out to look at observe, two weeks after the went on injured reserve to alleviate swelling in his surgically repaired knee. Kinlaw is eligible to return when the 49ers face the Arizona Cardinals in Mexico Metropolis on Nov. 21, however basic supervisor John Lynch has stated the defensive deal with doubtless will skip a few video games after the bye — the Cardinals’ recreation follows the Nov. 13 house affair in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers. A 3-game homestand follows in opposition to the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay.
PRACTICE-SQUAD STARS
This week’s gamers of the week off the scout staff: tight finish Troy Fumagalli, defensive deal with T.Y. McGill and security Tayler Hawkins.
