The San Francisco 49ers have been among the more injury-riddled teams in the league, but they will get a pair of offensive stars back for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
All-Pro tight end George Kittle will be active after a two-week absence, while wide receiver Deebo Samuel will make his season debut, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Deebo Samuel's back, as is George Kittle. https://t.co/xypN9DsKrD
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 2, 2020
Kittle had been dealing with knee soreness really since the start of training camp, and took a few weeks to heal up after playing in the opener.
Meanwhile, Samuel had yet to take the field after undergoing offseason foot surgery to repair a Jones fracture. The second-year 49ers wideout should immediately become one of the team's top playmakers.
Samuel had 57 receptions for 802 yards, and was also used extensively for end-arounds and gadget rushing plays. The 24-year-old rushed 14 times for 159 yards and three scores last year, and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will almost certainly use him in a similar fashion.
Getting Kittle back is as crucial to San Francisco's power run scheme as it is to the passing game.
Kittle is one of the best run-blocking tight ends in football, especially in goal-line sets when the 49ers look to create leverage off the guard spot.
That said, Kittle is certainly reliable as a receiver.
The former Iowa star has gone for over 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons, and Kittle also slashed his drop rate last year.
Both players returning should provide a huge boost to quarterback Nick Mullens, who will start in place of the injured Jimmy Garoppolo on Sunday.
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