49ers-Saints: Still no sign of Deebo Samuel at practice, Kendrick Bourne returns

Reporters did not see San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel during today's practice, which is the last of this week before the team boards a plane bound for New Orleans. That means the second-year wideout did not practice at all this week, making his availability for Sunday's game against the Saints very unlikely.

Samuel is attempting to return from a hamstring injury suffered during the 49ers' Week 7 win over the New England Patriots.

General manager John Lynch had hoped Samuel might be able to get onto the practice field today but noted that his availability for this weekend remained a long shot.

"I think the final challenge or opportunity for Deebo to show that he can go is out here on Friday," Lynch said this morning on KNBR. "Having said that, it hasn't been overwhelmingly encouraging. He's getting closer but has still felt it a little. So, typically, a player of that magnitude, if he's still feeling that on a Thursday going into a Friday, we'll give him a chance here to prove us otherwise. But right now, probably not too encouraged on Deebo."

Samuel missed the 49ers' first three games of the season after suffering a Jones fracture in June. He has since registered 16 receptions for 185 yards with a touchdown.

RELATED 49ers activate WR Kendrick Bourne from reserve/COVID-19 list

The 49ers activated Kendrick Bourne off the reserve/COVID-19 list today, and the wide receiver was on the field during practice.

"The good news is he'll be traveling with us to New Orleans," Lynch said of Bourne this morning. "The challenge there, he's been out of the building since last Tuesday and been at home. ... He's been in quarantine. So, that's a challenge."

Head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers will release game statuses and an official practice participation report later today.