Deebo Samuel out for 49ers’ Monday Night Football game against Vikings
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel has been ruled out for their upcoming “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. This leaves a void in the team’s receiving corps, requiring other players to step up in his absence.
Brandon Aiyuk will continue to be a key player in the 49ers’ offense, as he has been productive in the past. Aiyuk has caught 25 of 37 targets for a team-high 454 yards and two touchdowns over five games. However, he will be looking to bounce back from a tough performance in the team’s recent loss to the Cleveland Browns, where he only caught four of 10 targets from quarterback Brock Purdy.
To fill the void left by Samuel, both Jauan Jennings and Ray-Ray McCloud will need to step up. McCloud, the team’s return specialist, has been targeted only 30 times in his two seasons with the 49ers, but has registered 18 receptions for 270 yards. He also brings an added element of carrying the ball in jet sweeps, which can confuse defenses and disrupt their game plan.
Jennings, on the other hand, has been regularly involved in the team’s offense, but has only been targeted 12 times over five games this season. He has seven catches for 127 yards so far. Known as “Third-and-Jauan” among 49ers fans, Jennings has proven to be reliable in critical situations, with 23 of his receptions resulting in first downs in the 2022 season. However, his playing time has slightly decreased compared to last year.
Rookie receiver Ronnie Bell could also be a wild card in the 49ers’ offensive strategy for Monday night’s game. Although he has only been on the field for a limited number of snaps, Bell has caught three of his four targets for 31 yards and a touchdown. With Samuel out, Bell might see an increased role in the game.
Overall, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has a variety of options to try to make up for Samuel’s absence, but the team will miss the versatile player who can confuse defenses by disguising his intentions with the ball. The Monday night game against the Vikings will test the depth and capabilities of the 49ers’ receiving corps.