Deebo Samuel’s return already looks like the perfect move for the San Francisco 49ers after an impressive Week 1 performance
San Francisco has dealt with many injuries in their wide receiver room at this point in the 2026 season. Bringing back Deebo Samuel to the 49ers is looking like an excellent move.
Some things in the NFL just make perfect sense, and Deebo Samuel in a San Francisco 49ers jersey is one of them. That showed right away in Week One against the Los Angeles Rams. Samuel was great in his return debut, doing all the things he’s normally done for the 49ers. While there were plenty of positives to take away from the game for the overall team, one in particular stands out: the play of Deebo Samuel.
With the stack of injuries the 49ers have suffered in the wide receiver room, bringing Deebo Samuel back is looking like a better move each day. It’s been a tough task for San Francisco to try and keep players healthy this season. They just need bodies to play on their roster. But some marriages are perfect, and Deebo Samuel with the San Francisco 49ers is one of them.
Same old Deebo in Kyle Shanahan’s system
As far as what we learned about the 49ers wide receiver in Week One, it was really nothing new. He did the same things he’s done in San Francisco before. He’s able to be used in different ways as that gadget guy on offense. The 49ers got him the football in a variety of ways, and he even contributed on special teams returns. I think the only thing we may have learned is that he can still play at an older age.
Obviously it wasn’t a great season for Samuel or the team in Washington last year, but he’s back in Shanahan’s system. He’s back with quarterback Brock Purdy.
Deebo Samuel can still get it done. And that’s a big deal.
Injuries create opportunity for Samuel to thrive
As I stated earlier, the injury situation with San Francisco has been a huge downer. The season-opening win over the Los Angeles Rams honestly made a lot of that pain from seeing these injuries go away. But you never want to see these guys get hurt.
Ricky Pearsall lost his season before it even began. Christian Kirk was placed on injured reserve before the season started, causing him to miss time early. Now it’s rookie WR De’Zhaun Stribling who is going to miss likely 8-10 weeks of time after his Week One ankle injury.
I could go on and on naming these guys, but sometimes stuff like that provides opportunity for something even better to occur. I would like to think this is what might be happening to the 2026 San Francisco 49ers. Consider this as well on offense, if Jordan James doesn’t sustain a rib injury in camp, we likely don’t see rookie RB Kaelon Black as much in Week One.
Kaelon Black balled out and made good usage of his time which is something that likely wouldn’t have happened if not for injury.
Be thankful (sort of)
I’m not saying I’m glad these guys are injured. No one should be glad about that. No one should think it is a good thing for the 49ers, because it is not. But it’s providing an opportunity for the team to bring Samuel back and add an element to their offense. An element that they probably would not have had without him on the roster. He’s going to be crucial for this entire season with Stribling being out and the 49ers waiting for Kirk to come back.
Right now, Deebo Samuel is already the 49ers second wide receiver behind Mike Evans. You could have argued that he already was when he resigned with the team, but now it is certainly official. Demarcus Robinson will help out in that room as well.
I am of the opinion that with Deebo back out there, this wide receiver room is not a weakness to the team.
The verdict on Deebo’s return
Seeing Shanahan still use Samuel’s versatility the exact way he wanted to in Week 1 was beautiful. Also seeing Deebo pick right back up where he left off with Purdy and in this offense had to make 49ers fans feel good.
The injuries across San Francisco’s roster are not a good thing. In fact they could ultimately hinder the team’s potential down the line. But for now, those absences have provided a great opportunity for the 49ers. An opportunity to get back into the rhythm of getting Deebo Samuel the football in a ton of different ways.
I believe that is going to make their offense more explosive as the season rolls on.
