December 11, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) is carted off after an injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Shanahan told reporters earlier today that he expects Deebo Samuel (ankle) to miss “three-ish” weeks.
While it’s an undefined timeline, that puts Samuel on track to (potentially) return in the Week 18 finale, which in essence would be one week after the fantasy season concludes.
Owners had to expect this when the the 26-year-old was seen in tears, as he was carted off in the Niners Week 14 win over the Buccaneers. Before suffering the gruesome ankle injury, the 2021 Pro-Bowler compiled 64 yards and TD.
At this point, if you need the roster spot, it’s fair to drop Deebo. It’s hard to envision the team rushing him back, especially to a regular season game.
It’s a crushing blow for 49er fans and Deebo owners. He finished the regular season as the WR21 in PPR formats.
Deebo was also one to carry it out of the backfield from time-to-time, scoring more TDs on the ground this season than through the air. He’s got two rushing TDs in his last four contests, so without his availability, look for Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason to carry the RB duties full-time.
Overall, it goes down as a disappointing season for the electrifying wide receiver.
