Deebo Samuel explodes sans Brandon Aiyuk

With WR Brandon Aiyuk inactive with a shoulder injury, 49ers WR Deebo Samuel was featured in Thursday night's win over the Giants. He drew a team-high 12 targets for a 32.4% target share. Samuel and QB Brock Purdy actually missed on a few connections they usually make, but Samuel still finished with 6 catches for 129 yards and a score. He had a couple of trademark bulldozing catch-and-runs. And he capped the night with a 29-yard TD down the right sideline. Expect Samuel's target share to take a bit of a hit whenever Aiyuk is ready to return. But he'll remain a big part of this high-scoring 49ers offense -- and a strong WR2 in fantasy lineups.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) was a full participant in Friday's practice and is not listed on the final injury report for the NFC Championship. Samuel will play against the Lions on Sunday -- and it looks like he'll be ready for his usual role. We'll look for further updates on his status, but we're boosting Samuel in this week's rankings.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) got in a limited practice on Thursday. Samuel is dealing with a "bad and painful" bruise, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, but "has a chance" to play in Sunday's NFC Championship game vs. the Lions. We'll see how he's listed on the final injury report on Friday afternoon.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) won't practice on Wednesday, HC Kyle Shanahan said. Shanahan added that Samuel still has pain in that shoulder but "feels better." Shanahan wouldn't say whether he expects Samuel to be available to Sunday's NFC Championship game vs. the Lions. We'll update his status again tomorrow.

The 49ers consider WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) "50/50" for Sunday's NFC Championship vs. the Lions, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that x-rays on Samuel's shoulder showed no fracture and that he's already started rehab. We'll keep a close eye on his status throughout this week.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel will have further testing on his injured left shoulder on Sunday, ESPN reports. The team is reportedly hoping that Samuel didn't suffer the same hairline fracture injury that he did in a Week 6 loss to the Browns. That cost him the next two games. Samuel was able to return following San Francisco's Week 9 bye. "I don't know yet," HC Kyle Shanahan said after the win over the Packers. "I mean he tried to come back [but] couldn't do it. I know he did something similar versus Cleveland." We should get an update on Samuel within the next 24 hours. WR Jauan Jennings stepped up for five catches and 61 yards vs. Green Bay and would be in for an expanded role if Samuel misses the NFC Championship.