Deebo back to 49ers on 1-year deal, sources say
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- Deebo Samuel and the San Francisco 49ers reached agreement on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Thursday night.
- Ricky Pearsall has swelling in the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, prompting the 49ers to say they are exploring 'all options,' potentially including surgery that could sideline him long-term.
- Christian Kirk missed recent training camp practices with a strained calf, compounding the 49ers' receiver shortage before the team worked out three wideouts Wednesday.
- Samuel spent his first six seasons with San Francisco after being a second-round pick in the 2019 draft before being traded to the Washington Commanders in the 2025 offseason for a fifth-round pick.
- In his lone Commanders season, Samuel played 16 games with 72 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns, adding 17 carries for 75 yards and one rushing score.
- Samuel earned Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors in 2021 with 1,770 combined rushing and receiving yards and 14 scrimmage touchdowns, and was once called the 'wide back' for his versatility.
- Back in San Francisco, Samuel figures to line up alongside veteran Mike Evans and young options De'Zhaun Stribling, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing.
Why it matters: The 49ers are absorbing up to $7 million for a reunion with a player they traded away just one offseason ago — a move that speaks to how quickly Pearsall's PCL swelling and Kirk's calf strain cratered their receiver depth chart, and puts Samuel right back into the rotation opposite Mike Evans starting at training camp.
