Shanahan discusses if 49ers will preserve Deebo in return sport

Within the NFL, it’s all the time concerning the “extra you are able to do,” and Deebo Samuel is exhibiting he can do all of it. 

Within the 49ers’ 28-16 win over the Seattle Seahawks, Samuel returned kickoffs for the membership for the second sport in a row. Coach Kyle Shanahan spoke on Monday through convention all concerning the resolution to have his star participant on the sector for one of many extra harmful performs in soccer.

“We acquired to take that risk-reward each week,” Shanahan mentioned. “We determined to do it the final two weeks, and we’ll give you that call every week going ahead.”

After the Philadelphia Eagles’ first drive of Week 13, the All-Professional receiver jogged out onto the sector to obtain the kickoff. Samuel caught the ball deep in the long run zone and carried the ball 35 yards, out to the 27-yard line.

The change in personnel appeared pure with the membership’s return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud sidelined with a rib harm. Samuel, who has returned kickoffs prior to now, recorded a 28-yard return on his second try halfway by way of the third quarter.

Rookie receiver Ronnie Bell stepped in because the staff’s punt returner rather than McCloud.

“That wasn’t only a resolution with Ray-Ray McCloud being out,” Shanahan mentioned. “It was additionally a choice we had been occupied with going to, regardless. Nothing towards Ray-Ray or anybody, it was simply extra methods to get a particular participant, like Deebo, the ball in his arms.”

In his All-Professional season of 2021, Samuel recorded three kickoffs for 75 yards within the common season and 4 further returns for 85 yards within the playoffs. One 12 months later, the “wide-back” once more took half in kickoff duties in the course of the membership’s 2022 playoff run, registering two returns for 65 yards.

There isn’t a doubt that Samuel has a knack for the return sport. Within the playoffs, the All-Professional has a 25-yard-per-return common, which is simply barely lower than his 25.3 profession regular-season common.

McCloud will stay on injured reserve for not less than three extra video games with a number of rib accidents, placing his potential return on the membership’s ultimate common season sport in Week 17 when the Los Angeles Rams will go to Levis’ Stadium.

Till then, Shanahan is leaning towards Samuel being the membership’s kickoff return man.

“Most certainly,” Shanahan mentioned.

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