After the game, Samuel took full responsibility for the costly drop.
"Very, very frustrating," Samuel admitted. "At the end of the day, if I catch that ball, there's nothing there but end zone. I've just got to catch that route."
Samuel is on pace to record his lowest receiving yardage total since the injury-plagued 2020 season. With just two touchdowns this year (one receiving, one rushing), the wideout faces increased scrutiny as he approaches the final year of his contract in 2025.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed reporters on Wednesday and was asked about his veteran receiver's performance. Has Samuel slowed down this season?
"I don't think Deebo's slowed down," Shanahan replied, defending Samuel. "I think he got banged up earlier in the year. I thought he had an awesome training camp to where I'd say he didn't slow down at all. We were real excited going into the year.
"I want to say it was Week 2, he got hurt in. I think Week 2 versus Minnesota, he had over 100 yards, and then we didn't get him versus the Rams. I don't know if he missed two games or one (it was one), but it set him back for a few weeks.
"And then, when he came back, he had the pneumonia, he had a rib thing. And I think that set him off for like a month where he couldn't practice as much. When you build up a bunch in camp, and then you miss a lot of time in practice, it is hard to maintain that stuff."
The coach suggested that Samuel's performance issues are more a symptom of the offense's overall struggles this season, including its inability to create favorable opportunities for the wideout.
Shanahan added, "But by no means do I think he's lost it or anything."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Kyle Shanahan: Too early for 49ers to set timeline on Brandon Aiyuk's return
Brandon Aiyuk isn't expected to be ready when the San Francisco 49ers kick off the 2025 season. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, a mid-season return seems more realistic, though the 49ers haven't ruled out the possibility of an earlier comeback. Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and... -
49ers' Kyle Shanahan excited to work with Mac Jones
Mac Jones once believed he might start his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers as the third overall pick in 2021. Many analysts predicted the team would select him. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was a fan of Jones and later admitted that the decision ultimately came down to... -
Kyle Shanahan: 49ers will add veteran kicker to compete with Jake Moody
Kicker Jake Moody struggled in his second NFL season, converting just 24 of 34 field goal attempts. His inconsistency likely cost the San Francisco 49ers key victories and frustrated fans. All of Moody's missed field goals came from 40 yards or longer, with most occurring... -
Kyle Shanahan hopeful Brock Purdy won't miss time amid 49ers contract talks
The San Francisco 49ers are working to finalize a contract extension with quarterback Brock Purdy, aiming to get a deal done sooner rather than later. However, if negotiations stall, they could stretch into the offseason program, raising the question: Would Purdy hold...