Deebo Samuel had just one name on his lips after 49ers preseason win
Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold and Trey Lance all shone as the 49ers prevailed against the Broncos in a preseason thriller. Yet there was only one name on the lips of wide receiver Deebo Samuel after the game, and it wasn't any of his quarterbacks. It was that of rookie wide receiver Ronnie Bell. As he […]
Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold and Trey Lance all shone as the 49ers prevailed against the Broncos in a preseason thriller.
Yet there was only one name on the lips of wide receiver Deebo Samuel after the game, and it wasn't any of his quarterbacks.
It was that of rookie wide receiver Ronnie Bell.
As he left the locker room following Sunday's 21-20 victory, Samuel turned to a NBC Sports Bay Area reporter filming his exit and shouted out the seventh-round pick who helped inspire a 49ers turnaround from a 20-12 fourth-quarter deficit.
Bell was well worthy of Samuel's praise. He caught seven passes for 114 yards in a performance that could have almost served as an audition to join San Francisco's 'YAC bros', the former Michigan wideout displaying remarkable toughness after the catch to consistently gain extra yardage.
His biggest contribution came on San Francisco's game-winning drive, led by quarterback Trey Lance. Bell turned on the jets after hauling in a throw from Lance and scampered 43 yards to the Denver 21-yard line, helping tee up fellow ex-Wolverine Jake Moody for the game-winning field goal.
Lance had more detailed praise for Bell than what Samuel offered, telling reporters: "He’s been making plays. Super fun. He does it in practice every single day so not surprising for any of the guys to see in the locker room. Shouldn't be surprising for anyone who sees him day to day, he does a great job."
Bell did have one error as he allowed a Sam Darnold fast ball through his hands, the throw clanked off his helmet and into the arms of Denver's Essang Bassey.
That marked the second successive week a drop by Bell led to an interception, but this week he made more than enough plays to atone for that mistake.
And, with Danny Gray suffering a shoulder injury that head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed could be a collarbone issue, Bell's stunning exhibition showing should ensure the rookie lands on the 53-man roster to start the 2023 season.
Key Takeaways as 49ers quarterbacks all deliver in preseason win over Broncos
Kyle Shanahan has plenty to be happy about.
Featured Image Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
