The San Francisco 49ers may be without Deebo Samuel once again due to complications with pneumonia and fluid in his lungs. This condition led to his brief hospitalization and forced him to sit out previous games. Pneumonia can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue—issues that are especially limiting for an NFL player whose performance relies on full respiratory health and endurance. Although he was recently released from the hospital, his participation in upcoming games remains uncertain as he works through the recovery process.
Samuel’s absence presents a substantial challenge for the 49ers’ offensive game plan, as he’s known for his versatility and impact both as a wide receiver and occasional rusher. His unique skill set has made him a focal point of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, where he often draws the attention of multiple defenders, freeing up space for his teammates. Samuel’s ability to gain yardage after the catch and his physical style of play create consistent mismatches against opposing defenses. Without him, the 49ers are left relying on a more conventional offense that may struggle to maintain the same level of unpredictability and explosiveness.
Adding to the 49ers’ predicament, the team is already dealing with the loss of Brandon Aiyuk, who sustained a season-ending knee injury. This leaves the 49ers thin at receiver and makes Samuel’s absence even more impactful. The team has leaned on players like George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey, but their offense becomes notably more one-dimensional without Samuel’s dual-threat ability. As they approach challenging matchups, the 49ers will need to adapt their strategy and find ways to compensate for Samuel’s potential absence.
If Samuel does miss additional games, Shanahan and the 49ers’ coaching staff may experiment with alternative play-calling and possibly increase the workload for other offensive players to keep defenses guessing. However, the loss of a player as dynamic as Samuel undeniably affects the team’s depth, versatility, and overall competitiveness.