San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Deebo Samuel will miss the next two games, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, after he was diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his shoulder.
Samuel, who was injured in last Sunday’s 19-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns, won’t play in Monday night’s game at the Minnesota Vikings (2-4) or next Sunday’s matchup with the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. The 49ers (5-1) are on a bye in Week 9, so the earliest Samuel will return to the lineup is Week 10 at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“It’s always different (without Samuel),” Shanahan said. “What we did last week, we weren’t sure of him throughout the week, so we had contingency plans. He’s been banged up a few weeks before that, too, so this will give him a chance to settle down and, hopefully, come back 100 percent (out of the bye).”
Star running back Christian McCaffrey, who is nursing an oblique injury suffered in last Sunday’s game, is questionable after returning to the practice field in a limited capacity Saturday after not practicing Thursday or Friday. McCaffrey tied an NFL record last Sunday with a touchdown in his 15th straight game before exiting with the injury.
If McCaffrey doesn’t play, Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason could share running back duties.
All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) is doubtful after he played through an injury in last Sunday’s loss to the Browns. The 10-time Pro Bowl selection hasn’t played a full season since 2013.
Starting linebacker Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) is questionable for Monday’s game.
–Field Level Media
