Can Deebo Samuel play vs Cowboys? 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan drops major update on WR for Week 8 SNF
Kyle Shanahan has been going through a rough 2024 season. His San Francisco 49ers are not playing like Super Bowl contenders, and some of his key players have been injured, the latest being top wideout Brandon Aiyuk (knee, season-ending).
Meanwhile, Deebo Samuel, his other top wideout, was recently rushed to the hospital with what was suspected at the time to be pneumonia.
On Wednesday, Shanahan confirmed the rumors and also revealed that the one-time Pro Bowler had been released and stood a strong chance of being cleared to play against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday:
Samuel was among a handful of players who missed Wednesday's practice, being joined on the sidelines by the following:
- WR Jauan Jennings (hip)
- TE George Kittle (foot)
- OT Trent Williams (rest)
- DT Kevin Givens (groin)
- S George Odum (knee)
- K Jake Moody (ankle)
Kyle Shanahan updates on Christian McCaffrey before Cowboys clash
Meanwhile, star running back Christian McCaffrey has been the subject of return within the 49ers after sitting out in the first seven games of the season with an Achilles injury. But Shanahan is not ready to activate him just yet.
In the same presser, he said:
"It's not this week, so hopefully, it will be next week."
It is a simplification of what he said on Monday:
"Christian is still progressing through his rehab. He hasn't had any setbacks, so it's been all good news so far. I'd be surprised to get him back this week, but hopefully, the bye week will go well, and he'll have a much better chance there right after the bye week," he said previously.
Kyle Shanahan discusses stakes in upcoming Cowboys matchup
This coming Sunday's game vs the Cowboys will mark the two teams' second straight regular-season meeting and fifth overall in the 2020's (including playoff games), But the stakes are different this time.
Instead of fighting for the NFC lead, they are fighting to remain above .500 and in the playoff hunt. Shanahan acknowledged this bar:
"They're coming off a big loss right after their bye week, and they're in a situation similar to ours. They want to win, they need to win as bad as us. So I see a very similar situation."
The game kicks off at 5:20 PM PT on NBC.