Deebo Samuel reunites with 49ers amid injuries to wide receivers Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk — SkimNews
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- Deebo Samuel agreed to a one-year, $7 million contract to rejoin the 49ers, per ESPN/NFL Network's Ian Rapoport
- Samuel spent his first six years in San Francisco after a 2019 second-round selection, peaking in 2021 with 1,405 receiving yards, 365 rushing yards, and 14 total touchdowns that earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors
- Samuel was a key part of two NFC Championship-winning 49ers teams before spending last season with Washington, where he led the Commanders with 72 catches, 727 yards, and five touchdowns
- Ricky Pearsall is dealing with knee swelling tied to a PCL injury he sustained last year and has appeared in just 20 of 32 possible regular-season games since being a 2024 first-round pick
- Christian Kirk, acquired this offseason, suffered a calf injury on the opening day of training camp, leaving free-agent signing Mike Evans and second-round rookie De'Zhaun Stribling as the top healthy receivers
- Samuel is expected to line up in the "Z" receiver spot per The Athletic's Matt Barrows, though he won't handle as heavy a workload as during his first stint in San Francisco
- Samuel was ranked the No. 53 free agent in this class by Pete Prisco, underscoring the value-pricing of the reunion
Why it matters: The 49ers get a familiar, versatile piece who knows Kyle Shanahan's scheme at a moment when injuries sidelined Pearsall and Kirk on the same day of training camp. Samuel lands a one-year prove-it deal back where his career peaked in 2021, but at a $7M price reflecting his drop from All-Pro to the 53rd-ranked free agent.
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