Deebo Samuel calf injury update: How long will ther 49ers’ WR be out?

The San Francisco 49ers are facing a tough blow as head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that wide receiver Deebo Samuel has suffered a calf strain. The injury occurred during the team’s Week 2 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings, and Samuel is expected to miss several weeks.

Samuel had been a key player in the season’s first two games, offering a reliable target for quarterback Brock Purdy. Despite not having outstanding average yards of separation, he ranked 10th in the NFL in receiving yards. His absence compounds the 49ers’ growing list of injuries, with star running back Christian McCaffrey already sidelined.

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The 49ers’ depth at wide receiver is being tested, especially with Ricky Pearsall out for the first four weeks of the season after being placed on injured reserve. Samuel had even been filling in as a backup running back with McCaffrey out, leaving the team searching for offensive solutions.

In Samuel’s absence, the 49ers are expected to turn to Chris Conley and possibly give more opportunities to Jacob Cowing. Additionally, Brandon Aiyuk, who has had a slow start to the season, will need to step up his game. As one of the team’s top playmakers, Aiyuk is being relied upon to fill the void left by Samuel and validate his substantial contract.

The 49ers and coach Shanahan must be creative now with their roster navigating these early-season challenges.