SF 49ers: 4 players who light up Week 12 vs. LA Rams

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs past Los Angeles Rams safety Taylor Rapp (24) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: SF 49ers Wide Receiver Deebo Samuel

SF 49ers rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is the top player at his position this season. And he might reclaim that role in 2021, too, even though second-year pro Deebo Samuel is already working towards establishing himself as a bona fide threat.

But Aiyuk, who’ll likely become the team’s leading receiver after Sunday’s game after passing injured tight end George Kittle, is going to be out for the game after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

As such, expect the Niners to move Samuel away from the Rams’ No. 1 cornerback, Jalen Ramsey.

Fellow cornerback Troy Hill is also having a solid season, too. But he’s not Ramsey. And that means feeding Samuel on Sunday might be the best way for the Niners to move the ball through the air.

Samuel, like Mostert, has been missed by San Francisco since suffering a hamstring injury back in Week 7. Cleared to practice, it’s looking as if he’ll be back from his injury in time to make a serious impact during this NFC West bout.