Deebo Samuel is dealing with an illness but is nevertheless expected to take the field in Week 7 against the Chiefs.
Update: Deebo Samuel has been ruled out of the game.
Even if a player doesn't wind up on an inactive list or an injury list, there's still a chance he winds up not taking the field.
The San Francisco 49ers are hoping for the best with one of their top wide receivers, Deebo Samuel, who was removed from the Niners' Week 7 injury report despite dealing with a wrist injury ahead of Sunday's bout against the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, mere minutes prior to the high-profile Super Bowl rematch at Levi's Stadium, reports broke out that Samuel was dealing with an illness.
The #49ers say WR Deebo Samuel has an illness but is expected to play in today’s game vs the #Chiefs.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 20, 2024
Fortunately, Samuel was able to take the field for pregame warmups but didn't partake in the full session, exiting the field early.
This will put more pressure on the Niners' rookie wide receiver, Ricky Pearsall, who was activated off the non-football injury list just ahead of the game after suffering a scary gunshot wound last August in an attempted robbery.
One might expect Pearsall, who hasn't seen the field since that terrible moment, to get some of the snaps that would otherwise go to Samuel.
Samuel, meanwhile, will probably see a limited number of snaps, especially if said illness starts to creep up throughout Sunday's contest.
It's a tough break, especially considering San Francisco is trying to upend an undefeated KC team with an elite defense that frustrated the 49ers last February in the Super Bowl.