The 2024 season hasn't gone according to plan for the San Francisco 49ers so far and injuries are a big reason why. The Niners are 4-4 to start the season and wouldn't even be in the playoffs if the season ended today.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel doesn't appear to be the least bit worried, however.
San Francisco's star receiver said the 49ers are about to start dominating now their star players are coming back from injury.
His exact words were, "We turnt out here, ain't we? We got Christian back. We got back. It's all hands on deck right now."
DEEBO SAMUEL: "We turnt out here ain't we? We got Christian back. We got JJ back. It's all hands on deck right now."
— KNBR (@KNBR) November 6, 2024
The boys are back together 😤 pic.twitter.com/Xb9nPl1RlX
Deebo Samuel says 49ers are ready to start dominating again
There's no doubt that injuries have put a damper on the season, especially with Christian McCaffrey not being able to play a single snap in the first half of the 2024 campaign. McCaffrey rushed for over 1,400 yards a season ago, and while Jordan Mason has been serviceable, no one can do what McCaffrey does on the field. He's just on a whole other level, and having him back is going make a huge difference for San Francisco.
Samuel also mentioned Jennings is coming back, and the third-down weapon has been out two games with a hip injury. Jennings is one of quarterback Brock Purdy's favorite targets this season, and it's been noticeable not having the receiver on the field.
The good news is that while the first half of the season is obviously important, what's most important is peaking at the right time. With the 49ers getting healthy for the back half of the season, that hopefully means they can get hot at the perfect time and make another run toward a Super Bowl appearance.
The only truly scary team in the NFC is the Detroit Lions, whom the Niners handled in the NFC Championship game back in January. Yes, the Washington Commanders are 7-2, but they have a rookie quarterback running the show and one would have to think that their hype train will slow down eventually.
For now, Niners fans should just be focused on the team simply getting into the playoffs because from there, anything is possible. The NFC West is as close as can be with the Arizona Cardinals leading the way at 5-4, the 49ers and Los Angeles Rams both sitting at 4-4, and the Seattle Seahawks in the basement with a 4-5 record.
In other words, this thing is nowhere close to being over, and with key Niners players getting healthy and returning to the lineup, it's time to see who the real 2024 San Francisco 49ers are.