It has been a tough year for the San Francisco 49ers. After being so close to winning it all in Super Bowl LIV against eventual champs Kansas City Chiefs, they found themselves at the bottom of the NFC West division and failing to make it to the upcoming NFL postseason.
The season was extra tough for second-year 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel, who was only able to suit up for six full games in 2020. He missed the first three games of the season in the COVID-19/reserve list, and on Week 14, he pulled his hamstring on the very first play which eventually ruled him out of the campaign.
“This year, for me, was real rough,” Deebo Samuel said, via NBC Sports. “I dealt with a lot of injuries in my life and through college. I had bumps and bruises last year, but this last season, I never got down mentally like I did after I pulled my hamstring in this last game. It took a toll on my body and it made me realize health is the most important thing in this league, just being available.”
After breaking out in his rookie year with 57 catches and 802 yards, the 24-year-old was limited to 33 catches this season for a total of 391 yards. Samuel was just one of the many key players for the 49ers who had to miss games this season due to injuries. The likes of QB Jimmy Garoppolo and TE George Kittle also had to watch games from the sideline.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan, though, is hoping that Samuel comes out of this season stronger than ever.
“When he pulled his hamstring on that first play, he knows how much that hurt the team. That sucks for a player, and Deebo cares a lot about his teammates and he cares a lot about people. I think reality hit him last month how big a deal that is and I hope that’s a good thing for him, to feel that pain to feel what it does because that’s the reality of this league.” the 49ers coach added.
It's back to the drawing board for Samuel and the rest of the 49ers. Hopefully, 2021 turns things for the better.
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