The matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 has drawn plenty of attention. But the 49ers will be shorthanded on offense.
According to Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official team site, Deebo Samuel is listed as out for San Francisco's season-opening bout with Arizona.
Final #AZCardinals injury report for #AZvsSF. pic.twitter.com/h3qYQ5oFug
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) September 11, 2020
Samuel has been recovering from foot surgery this offseason after suffering a broken foot during a workout earlier this year. While he wasn't practicing with the team, Kyle Shanahan was hoping to have the second-year wideout back in time for Week 1.
However, as Shanahan told The Athletic's David Lombardi, things didn't go according to plan for Samuel.
Shanahan on Deebo Samuel: “We thought there’d be a good chance he’d play this week. It didn’t go the way we hoped."
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 11, 2020
After a stellar rookie season in 2019, Samuel was projected to be San Francisco's No. 1 wide receiver in 2020, but with his foot ailment preventing him from practicing, it's uncertain when he'll be available this offseason.
Besides Samuel, rookie Brandon Aiyuk is questionable to play on Sunday due to a nagging hamstring injury. Aiyuk sustained the injury in early training camp, prompting the 49ers to sign wide receivers to add depth at the position.
If Samuel and Aiyuk are both out in Week 1, then that leaves Kendrick Bourne, Trent Taylor, Dante Pettis, and Richie James as the only wideouts remaining on the roster. At the least, San Francisco does have a dominant rushing attack and George Kittle to help spell the injuries at wide receiver.
The 49ers were optimistic that Samuel would be ready to suit up in the team's first game of the season. Despite the team's optimism, Samuel is out and Aiyuk could join him on the sideline on Sunday. That could leave Jimmy Garoppolo without his projected top-two wide receivers to begin the season.
Follow Us
Subscribe