Deebo Samuel Injury Update: Will the 49ers’ WR play in NFC Championship game vs the Lions?

With their 12–5 record during the regular season, the San Francisco 49ers are almost there—their long-held goal of making it to the Super Bowl—after making it to the NFC Championship Game four times in the last five years. For star wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who has never won a Super Bowl in his NFL career, this season has been all about going for the big prize from the start.

While everyone was looking forward to their playoff run, concerns loomed large over Samuel’s injury status. However, as the game draws near, the latest update from the 49ers’ injury report offers a glimmer of optimism regarding Samuel’s recovery and participation in the crucial NFL Conference Championship showdown. 

Is Deebo Samuel going to play in the NFC Championship game vs the Lions?

The 49ers fans can breathe a sigh of relief as star wide receiver Deebo Samuel has been given the green light to take the field in the upcoming NFC Championship game against the Detroit Lions. After an injury scare last week that saw him leave the game against the Green Bay Packers early, Samuel has bounced back swiftly.

Even though there were worries earlier in the week, Samuel’s full return to practice on Friday was a good sign for the 49ers. Visitors saw him running routes and making catches, demonstrating his readiness to contribute to the team’s offensive efforts. 

Head Coach Kyle Shanahan expressed his elation, labeling Samuel’s availability as “huge” for the team’s championship aspirations.

“It’s huge. A little scary at the beginning of the week. The fact that he was able to go full go today and no restrictions on him is definitely a good thing for us.”

Samuel’s absence during the divisional playoff round against the Green Bay Packers was keenly felt, with the offense struggling to find its rhythm in his absence. Despite playing just nine snaps before his injury, Samuel’s impact on the game was evident.

However, quarterback Brock Purdy rose to the occasion, leading the 49ers to a thrilling come-from-behind victory with a late touchdown drive. Addressing critics of Purdy’s performance, Samuel later boldly claimed the importance of trusting game tapes over baseless speculation. 

 Deebo Samuel speaks the Lions and CJ Gardner-Johnson

The upcoming NFL Conference Championship game is generating a lot of buzz, particularly due to the captivating showdown between Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers and Lions’ safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. A showdown is imminent between two players whose animosity towards each other has been evident both on and off the field.

Samuel, however, opted to keep the focus on the game itself, brushing off questions about his feud with Gardner-Johnson, stating, “I don’t pay that no mind, man, he’s just gotta come here and strap it up.” 

Meanwhile, he spoke highly of their next contender, the Lions team, praising the play that helped them reach so far.

“They’re winning, they’re playing good ball, and you know they made it this far so obviously they’re a good team, but you know everything gotta run through Levi’s.”

Nevertheless, the roots of their animosity trace back to October, when a social media spat erupted between the two. Gardner-Johnson, on Instagram Live, claimed that Samuel avoided confrontation until left tackle Trent Williams intervened during a pre-game brawl in Week 6. 

Samuel threw a subtle dig at the Lions’ safety on the “Up & Adams” show, labeling him as “mad” and an unknown hero to the NFL fans.

“It just sounds like he’s mad I got a little bag and a lot of money, and nobody knows who he is,” he said, per A to Z Sports.

Their digital quarrel reached new heights when Gardner-Johnson challenged the 49ers vet receiver in an Instagram Live video with a stern warning. 

“Don’t be friendly when you see me. Because I can guard you. You can’t run routes, you’re a running back.” 

Samuel, in response, continued to downplay the exchange, expressing that Gardner-Johnson sounded resentful of his success.

Stay tuned for the fireworks on and off the field as Samuel and Gardner-Johnson aim to settle their differences and secure a trip to Super Bowl LVIII.