Deebo Samuel Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Pro Football Network's Aaron Wilson hears that 49ers TE George Kittle's groin injury is "serious enough" that he's "unlikely" to play against the Bears this weekend. A source tells Wilson that Kittle is dealing with a Grade 2 strain and that "it would be optimal for him to rest and rehab for a week or two." It certainly makes sense for the 49ers to hold Kittle out of a game vs. Chicago that they can likely win without him. We've removed Kittle from the Week 1 Rankings for now and will continue to keep you updated on his status. Kittle's absence would be good news for the targets outlooks of WRs Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel is sidelined for Sunday's practice with a "contusion behind his knee," according to insider Matt Maiocco. "He probably won’t practice this week, but should be good to go for preparations to face the Bears in Week 1," Maiocco adds. We'll keep an eye on Samuel but aren't adjusting his spot in the WR Rankings.

After 49ers WR Deebo Samuel requested a trade this offseason, word spread that he wasn't happy with the way the team used him in the 2nd half of last season. That's when Samuel saw a near-even split between receiving (87 catches) and rushing (86 carries). "That's false," he told reporters Tuesday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Samuel apparently didn't elaborate. That doesn't seem to put us any closer to knowing how his touches will break down in 2022 and beyond -- especially after learning that his extension includes annual $650,000 incentives for reaching 380 rushing yards. What we do know is that there's a lot about his 2021 season that Samuel will have a hard time repeating.

The 49ers and WR Deebo Samuel have agreed to a 3-year extension. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's a $71.55 million deal, with a max value of $73.5 million and $58.1 million in guarantees. The length of the contract means Samuel will hit another contract year at age 29. This should return the star WR to full practice, after a tumultuous offseason.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel reported for the start of training camp on Tuesday. He reportedly requested a trade earlier this offseason, but the team has said all along that it has no plans on moving him. "We've had productive and substantive talks [about a new contract]," GM John Lynch said. "Don't want to get people excited that we're imminent because we're not there yet. .... Deebo's here today and we're excited to move forward with him on this team. We're focused on getting something done." Until we get a new contract or trade, there's still some added risk on Samuel's fantasy outlook. But it seems to be a good bet that he'll play for the 49ers this year.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that 49ers WR Deebo Samuel has not rescinded his trade request. The team has indicated it has no plans to move Samuel, and he attended the team's mandatory minicamp in early June. But this at least serves as a reminder that some tension remains. We'll see whether that forces a move.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel is expected to report for minicamp on Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Samuel reportedly requested a trade earlier this offseason, unhappy with his RB usage last year. But it looks like the 2 sides have ironed things out at least for now. We'll continue to monitor the situation, but Samuel seems likely to be on the field for the 49ers come Week 1.

Speaking at an event on Wednesday night, 49ers GM John Lynch confirmed that WR Deebo Samuel will remain on the team. “We haven't traded him, and I'd be a fool to trade him. So yes, Deebo will be part of the 49ers this season,” Lynch said. Now we’ll see if Samuel, 26, accepts a high-dollar extension from the 49ers this summer.

Referencing a conversation with 49er Deebo Samuel, NFL insider Jeff Darlington said the star WR has requested a trade. Samuel didn’t reveal any specific reason, but we get the message. If he does in fact leave San Francisco, the 49ers would be left with guys like Jauan Jennings, KeeSean Johnson and Ray-Ray McCloud behind Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle. Currently, the 49ers don't pick until 61st overall in this month's draft, although they do have a pair of 3rd-rounders. As for Deebo, any suitor will need to pay him top dollar, as the 26-year-old is entering a contract year. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Deebo is frustrated over his RB usage. Rapoport added that Deebo hasn't "engaged" with the 49ers, despite the team's attempts to make him a lucrative long-term deal.

ESPN's Adam Schefter suggested that WR Deebo Samuel wants out of San Francisco. We reported on Tuesday that Samuel was skipping the team's offseason program as he seeks a new contract. But Schefter believes that Samuel isn't interested in getting that new deal from the 49ers. “San Francisco would pay Deebo Samuel today, tomorrow, the next day. It’s not hard to figure out what the contract would look like,” Schefter said on ESPN's NFL Live. “We’ve seen some of the top numbers in the league. This, I think right now, is Deebo Samuel not wanting to get a deal done. It’s not San Francisco not willing to do the deal, the 49ers are ready. Deebo Samuel is the one who has put a halt to everything for right now.” It's unclear what's caused this rift -- especially since Samuel is coming off a career-best season. We'll see where the situation goes from here. Samuel is overvalued in early best-ball drafts, although a move out of run-heavy San Francisco might actually help his fantasy stock.

ESPN's Adam Schefter hears that WRs Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown and Terry McLaurin are not expected to participate in on-field work in their teams' offseason programs as they look for new contracts. McLaurin at least plans to report for the start of the workouts, per Schefter. All 3 guys have 1 year remaining on their rookie contracts and are looking to get paid after seeing Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs get big deals this offseason. We'll certainly keep a close eye on these situations -- but we're not moving Samuel, Brown or McLaurin in our 2022 WR rankings right now.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan expects WR Deebo Samuel’s hybrid role to remain in place next season. “This way you can make sure he gets touches,” Shanahan said via The Athletic. “You can do that at receiver, but not when you can just hand the ball to a guy. So we’ve always got to keep that threat. That’s what separates him. Deebo knows that, too.” 2022 is a contract year for Deebo, but GM John Lynch is already talking extension with the 26-year-old’s reps. “Yes, there are some interesting dynamics with Deebo playing multiple positions, but the bottom line is he’s an excellent football player,” Lynch said. “I’m sure that we’ll find a way to get that [deal] done.” Samuel finished 3rd in PPR scoring behind only Cooper Kupp and Davante Adams.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel is not listed on the injury report for Sunday's NFC Championship. He hobbled off the field late in last weekend's win over the Packers but will be ready to play vs. the Rams.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel hobbled off the field after his final touch in Saturday night's win over the Packers, but it sounds like he'll be fine for the NFC Championship. “Deebo took a helmet to the side of his knee/leg on that last play, so he’s sore today, but we expect to see him on the practice field this week," HC Kyle Shanahan said Monday. We'll track Samuel's practice participation this week.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo has a torn UCL along with a fracture in his right thumb. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport calls the latter injury a "chipped bone" and adds that Garoppolo is "going to try to gut it out, somehow" vs. the Texans on Sunday. We'll see how this week goes, but for now, we're expecting QB Trey Lance to get the Week 17 start. Lance's rushing ability gives him fantasy upside -- but he'd be a downgrade for Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (groin) is active for today’s game vs. the Bengals. He only got in a limited practice on Friday after missing last week’s game, so he obviously comes with elevated risk in fantasy lineups. But we also haven’t heard anything about Samuel being limited today. There’s still WR1 upside here.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (groin) "will play" vs. the Bengals this afternoon, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Schefter notably went with "will play," rather than "expected to play," so we feel confident that Samuel will be active later this afternoon. He still carries added risk after getting in just a limited practice on Friday with the groin injury. But Samuel would be tough to keep on fantasy benches considering how productive he's been all season.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (groin) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Bengals. He returned to a limited practice on Friday after missing the first 2 workouts of the week. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Friday night that Samuel has “a chance” to play on Sunday. Stay tuned to Shark Bites for further updates.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (groin) remained sidelined on Thursday. He's looking like a long shot to play vs. the Bengals this weekend, but we'll get another update on his status tomorrow.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (groin) did not practice on Wednesday. He did some running off to the side, according to insider Matt Barrows. But Samuel is still iffy for this weekend's game vs. the Bengals. We'll get another update on his status tomorrow.