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The San Francisco 49ers saved their roster this week. The team added the franchise's former star wide receiver to return in a similar role for the 2026 season.
Deebo Samuel returns after a brief stint with the Washington Commanders. The move is significant because of the current state of the Niners wide receiver room.
The Niners opted to let go of Jauan Jennings in free agency and still await resolution with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. They addressed those roster losses with key additions in Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling. Still, one player the team was counting on to contribute is now likely out for the season.
Ricky Pearsall is out for the year with a PCL injury to his knee. Given the loss of Pearsall, it's a good thing that San Francisco went and added Samuel.
Wajih AlBaroudi of "For the Win" discussed why the move is so important in light of Pearsall's injury. Here's some of what he had to say on the Niners' new addition.
"The San Francisco 49ers are bringing back a familiar face in the wake of Ricky Pearsall's unfortunate injury update. Deebo Samuel is reportedly signing a one-year, $7 million deal to return to San Francisco, where he developed into one of the NFL's most unique and productive players under Kyle Shanahan.
The move comes after Pearsall's outlook for 2026 got murky. The 2024 first-round pick was dealing with knee swelling following a PCL injury he suffered last year, and again, is not playing this season because he’s now having surgery to address that.
Samuel spent his first six seasons with the 49ers before a pit stop with the Washington Commanders in 2025. The South Carolina product famously contributes as both a receiver and running back, and last year he recorded 72 catches for 727 yards to go along with 17 carries for 75 yards, scoring six total touchdowns."
Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) stiff arms Tennessee Titans cornerback Marcus Harris (26) during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
To be sure, Pearsall's injury is a crushing personal blow. The heartbreaking loss of the 2026 season makes us all feel for Pearsall. Even those who had questions about his fit with the Niners wanted to see him at least have the chance to succeed this season. Now, he will likely have to wait until 2027 to prove his elite ability.
Pearsall will probably still get the chance to prove it, and perhaps he will do so with the Niners. He has the resilience to bounce back and return even stronger, but the 49ers will have to find a way to play the season without him.
With Samuel, the Niners have a strong core top four of receivers for the season. Presumably, Evans will take the No. 1 receiver role followed by Samuel at No. 2. Kirk and Stribling will battle for that third receiver spot with playmakers like George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey and Kyle Juszczyk bringing playmaking from other positions.
The Niners saved their wide receiver room in adding Deebo Samuel. We'll see how it all comes together when the team takes on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1.
Continue reading...
Deebo Samuel returns after a brief stint with the Washington Commanders. The move is significant because of the current state of the Niners wide receiver room.
The Niners opted to let go of Jauan Jennings in free agency and still await resolution with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. They addressed those roster losses with key additions in Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling. Still, one player the team was counting on to contribute is now likely out for the season.
Ricky Pearsall is out for the year with a PCL injury to his knee. Given the loss of Pearsall, it's a good thing that San Francisco went and added Samuel.
Wajih AlBaroudi of "For the Win" discussed why the move is so important in light of Pearsall's injury. Here's some of what he had to say on the Niners' new addition.
"The San Francisco 49ers are bringing back a familiar face in the wake of Ricky Pearsall's unfortunate injury update. Deebo Samuel is reportedly signing a one-year, $7 million deal to return to San Francisco, where he developed into one of the NFL's most unique and productive players under Kyle Shanahan.
The move comes after Pearsall's outlook for 2026 got murky. The 2024 first-round pick was dealing with knee swelling following a PCL injury he suffered last year, and again, is not playing this season because he’s now having surgery to address that.
Samuel spent his first six seasons with the 49ers before a pit stop with the Washington Commanders in 2025. The South Carolina product famously contributes as both a receiver and running back, and last year he recorded 72 catches for 727 yards to go along with 17 carries for 75 yards, scoring six total touchdowns."
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Dec 14, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) stiff arms Tennessee Titans cornerback Marcus Harris (26) during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
To be sure, Pearsall's injury is a crushing personal blow. The heartbreaking loss of the 2026 season makes us all feel for Pearsall. Even those who had questions about his fit with the Niners wanted to see him at least have the chance to succeed this season. Now, he will likely have to wait until 2027 to prove his elite ability.
Pearsall will probably still get the chance to prove it, and perhaps he will do so with the Niners. He has the resilience to bounce back and return even stronger, but the 49ers will have to find a way to play the season without him.
With Samuel, the Niners have a strong core top four of receivers for the season. Presumably, Evans will take the No. 1 receiver role followed by Samuel at No. 2. Kirk and Stribling will battle for that third receiver spot with playmakers like George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey and Kyle Juszczyk bringing playmaking from other positions.
The Niners saved their wide receiver room in adding Deebo Samuel. We'll see how it all comes together when the team takes on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1.
Continue reading...
