3 49ers who need to step up vs. Lions in NFC Championship game

3. Wide receiver Chris Conley

If Deebo Samuel is, in fact, unable to play against the Lions, then other players need to step up. Obviosuly, this will fall to everyone on the offense. Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings will all need to step up their level of play to try and make up for Deebo's absence.

While the Lions will likely pay much more attention to McCaffrey, Aiyuk, and Kittle with Deebo out of the lineup, Chris Conley is a player who could step up and provide some key catches for the team.

We saw him step up in a big way against the Packers. He caught a pass for a first down on the game-winning drive on a well-run-out route with a perfect throw from Brock Purdy. I would not be surprised to see him that wide open again because the 49ers still have so many weapons to be accounted for even if they are missing Deebo.

Conley could be the player whom the Lions forget about and one the 49ers could get into a mismatch to try and exploit Detroit on defense. Plus, he is a veteran wide receiver who can be relied on much more than rookie Ronnie Bell or Ray-Ray McCloud, who is more experienced with kick returns.

No one player will replace Samuel, but Conley could be a player who steps up in a big way.

If all three of these players step up on Sunday, there is a good chance the 49ers could be headed to Las Vegas.

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