Deebo Samuel Sr.

Deebo Samuel (wrist/ribs) will not play in Week 18 against the Cardinals.

Samuel only missed one game before Week 18, a Week 3 loss to the Rams, because of an injury but was seemingly hampered by various issues for most of the year. He was listed with a wrist issue that never went away as early as Week 7. Samuel came down with pneumonia ahead of that game, played four snaps, and was hospitalized on Monday. Rib and oblique injuries were later added to the growing list of ailments and he appeared entirely out of gas midway through the season. Deebo topped 100 receiving yards twice in his first five games and failed to hit triple digits ever again. He ended the year with 51 grabs for 673 yards and three scores. Samuel also underwhelmed on the ground, adding just 136 yards and one score at a dismal 3.2 yards per carry. The 49ers can cut him as a post-June 1st release in the offseason for roughly $5 million in cap savings. However, the move would saddle San Francisco with over $30 million in dead cap, making an extension or restructure more likely. It’s possible Samuel just needs a healthy offseason to get back to form ahead of 2025. On the other hand, at 28 years old with declining numbers across the board, it’s more than possible that Samuel’s best days are behind him.