The San Francisco 49ers are happy to advance to the NFC Championship Game with a 24-21 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night.
In a game where the Niners needed Christian McCaffrey's late-game touchdown run to advance, the defense rallied with an interception by Packers quarterback Jordan Love to stop the game.
However, the 49ers will be without versatile wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who suffered a left shoulder injury in the first quarter. Although he was initially allowed to return, he was seen on the sideline in street clothes during the second half.
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Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before the NFC divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Shearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The 49ers are now anxiously awaiting the results of the multiple tests he took on Sunday.
The hope for San Fran is that Samuel doesn't suffer from the same hairline fracture that forced him to miss two games during the regular season. Both of those games ended in losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals on “Thursday Night Football.”
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he doesn't know the severity of Samuel's injury, but ESPN reports that Samuel will have a chance to play next Sunday against the winner of Sunday's NFC divisional game between the Detroit Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was reported.
Samuel is a nightmare matchup for the defenses he faces, as he is one of the most elusive offensive weapons in the NFL, producing tons of yards after the catch. That's why the 49ers can use him in the backfield on run plays and jet sweeps, giving him space to perform his magic.
Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the field before a divisional round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Tight end George Kittle, who scored the touchdown, said, “When you have Devo there and you match him up with Christian and you switch them around, I think our offense is going to be different than any other offense in the NFL.'' Ta. He helped beat the Packers, he said via ESPN.
“So, am I worried that he won't play next week? Yeah, we're a different team without Devo.”
Second-year quarterback Brock Purdy still has players to work with like McCaffrey, Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings. But as Kittle said, Samuel's presence will open things up thanks to the attention he needs.
Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers leaves the field with an injury during a divisional round playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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Samuel's test will determine whether he can play in a game the 49ers hope to advance to as they aim to travel to Las Vegas for Super Bowl III.
