To begin the 2024–25 season, the San Francisco 49ers are riding a wave of hardship. The most recent blemish on San Francisco’s roster is Deebo Samuel’s injury sustained in Week 2. Due to a calf injury, the sixth-year wide receiver will be sidelined for a few weeks. Now, as the Niners wait for Samuel and Christian McCaffrey to return to the field, head coach Kyle Shanahan must make adjustments.
In his two appearances, Samuel, the 49ers’ dependable gadget playmaker, has caught 13 of 19 receptions for 164 yards. Additionally, on 10 rush attempts, he gained 13 yards and a touchdown.
According to Bleacher Report on X, formerly Twitter, Samuel stated on Tuesday that it’s “now or never” for the current NFC champs to win a Super Bowl.
Samuel remarked, “I’ve been a part of the best team in the NFL for the past almost six years.” “We have to finish it.”
The 49ers are 1-1 on the season and, as they deal with injuries, are officially vulnerable to other NFL teams after suffering an upset loss to the Minnesota Vikings 23-17 in Week 2. In Week 3, they take on the Los Angeles Rams, who have yet to win a game. This will be their first chance to demonstrate their resiliency as a team without their two greatest players.
On Monday Night Football in Week 1, the 49ers looked better than the New York Jets, even without McCaffrey’s tremendous dual-threat presence. Jordan Mason and Samuel took turns running the ball; however, even with Mason’s McCaffrey-like stats of 28 for 147 yards and one touchdown, Samuel only managed eight rushes for 23 yards and one touchdown.
For moments like these, the 49ers are designed. Even if McCaffrey and Samuel have brutally low usage this early in the season, they still have some reliable components that can perform well. Brock Purdy, the quarterback, has a fantastic chance to prove to those who doubt his ability to produce plays on his own. WR Brandon Aiyuk, who was recently extended, will probably see a lot more targets.
Mason, a youthful RB, begged for more running volume before to the season. He’s really got his wish granted. Mason is the only dependable ball carrier on the team because McCaffrey and Samuel aren’t available to take snaps.
While their finest players are rehabilitating, the 49ers will attempt to maintain their position in the NFC standings. But with their hopes for a Super Bowl still on wait, now is a fantastic moment for Shanahan’s team to purchase some new gear.
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