SANTA CLARA – Deebo Samuel, dealing with a left shoulder injury, provided some encouraging signs Wednesday about his progress toward returning this week.
The wide receiver did not participate in the 49ers' practice on Wednesday, but the chances of him playing in the NFC Championship Game appear to be trending in a positive direction.
With a football under his left arm, Samuel ran back and forth across the practice field during the time at the start of practice when the media was allowed to observe the 49ers' practice.
Samuel suffered the shoulder injury Saturday night that limited him to just nine games in the 49ers' 24-21 victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC divisional round playoff game.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk expressed optimism when asked if he thought Samuel could play against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
“I do personally,” Aiyuk said. “But (I) will just continue to pray for him to get better as the week goes on and be out there with us to finish the job.”
Earlier this season, Samuel missed nearly three entire games due to a shoulder injury, and the 49ers went 0-3 in those games, losing to the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals.
In the playoffs, the 49ers managed to beat the Packers despite Samuel being a spectator for most of the game.
Jauan Jennings and Chris Conley played Samuel's position, with Ray-Ray McCloud largely taking Jennings' spot as the slot receiver.
Aiyuk said he believes the wide receiver group is now better equipped to step up and produce when Samuel is unavailable.
Conley had a key 17-yard reception on the 49ers' game-winning drive, while Jennings took advantage of his increased playing time with five receptions for 61 yards after catching just 19 passes for 265 yards in the regular season.
“I feel like this is his moment,” Aiyuk said of Jennings. “That’s what he was made for; that's what it's built for. So if the opportunity arises, I’m ready to ride with him.”
“All the work we put in is for this. I’m sure everyone will show up and be ready.”
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