The San Francisco 49ers will have to make do without star wide receiver Deebo Samuel for at least their next two games. Samuel suffered a shoulder injury in the 49ers’ loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Now, it appears he won’t be back until at least November.
Samuel had been the team’s second-leading receiver, with 20 receptions for 302 yards. The do-everything weapon was also the team’s third-leading rusher, with 18 carries for 95 yards.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Samuel is recovering from a hairline fracture in his shoulder and will be unavailable for the 49ers’ contests against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, and against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 29.
That’s not all the troubling news. Running back Christian McCaffrey, arguably the team’s most valuable player through the start of the season, is listed as questionable for the Vikings game as he recovers from an oblique injury, according to Schefter. Offensive tackle Trent Williams is considered doubtful to play with an ankle issue. Like Samuel, McCaffrey and Williams both missed time during the Browns game.
The 49ers jumped out to a 5-0 record and managed to stay relatively healthy through their first five games. That all changed with the Browns contest, which saw San Francisco lose its perfect season and possibly as many as three of its top offensive weapons.