SF 49ers WR Deebo Samuel has to stay healthy in 2021

The SF 49ers didn’t get the sophomore follow-up campaign from Deebo Samuel in 2020, putting an emphasis on him staying healthy next year.

If there’s one goal for SF 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel between now and the 2021 season, it’s to stay healthy.

Samuel, the Niners’ second-round pick from the 2019 NFL Draft, already showed he can be a potent weapon. His 802 receiving yards his rookie season rank second in franchise history for rookie wideouts behind the Hall of Famer, Jerry Rice, and many figured 2020 was going to be a pure breakout season for the former South Carolina Gamecock.

Except injuries got in the way.

First, there was his offseason foot fracture, which held him out the first three weeks. A hamstring injury forced him to miss three games in the middle of the season, and another hamstring setback in Week 14 against the Washington Football Team all but ends his follow-up efforts to an impressive first-year campaign.

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Injuries have been a theme for San Francisco all year long, yes. But in Samuel’s case, it’s been an unfortunate trend dating back to his collegiate days.

During his freshman year in 2015, Samuel dealt with hamstring injuries and appeared in just five games. Then in his junior year in 2017, he saw just three games after suffering a broken leg, then sprained his foot during his recovery.

Now, three more injuries at the pro level have marred his otherwise stellar young career.

Why it’s important for SF 49ers to have a healthy Deebo Samuel

The intent the SF 49ers had was to pair Samuel, the second-year pro, with their first-round rookie from 2020, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Unfortunately, due to injuries and setbacks with both players, Samuel and Aiyuk managed to take the field together in just six games this season. While the Niners’ offensive issues this year can be attributed to many different things, the lack of a one-two punch at wide receiver certainly didn’t’ help.

Heading into 2021, there are likely going to be plenty of changes making it imperative for both Samuel and Aiyuk to be on the field at the same time.

It’s possible San Francisco moves on from its veteran quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, this offseason to both potentially land an upgrade or long-term fit while saving some much-needed salary cap space. Should the SF 49ers replace Jimmy G with a rookie signal-caller via the draft, that first-year player will need all the help he can get at the skill positions.

That includes a fully healthy Samuel.

Even if Garoppolo is back, there hasn’t exactly been much of a chance for him to see what the possibilities are with both Samuel and Aiyuk on the field at the same time. Injuries prevented that.

If Samuel can stay healthy alongside Aiyuk next year, this shouldn’t be the case again.