San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder) doesn't have a fractured shoulder, "which is a good sign," but he's dealing with a lot of pain, which makes his status fuzzy for Sunday's NFC Championship game against the Detroit Lions. Shanahan thinks he'll have a better idea of Samuel's availability for this weekend's big game on Wednesday, when the team holds its first practice. The 49ers are considering the 28-year-old 50-50 for the game this Sunday, so there's a good chance he'll be more of a game-time decision. It will make things difficult for DFS gamers playing the two-game slate this weekend, as the Niners-Lions kick off in the evening after the Chiefs and Ravens do. And if Samuel is active, there's a chance he could be more of a decoy for the Lions defense.

The San Francisco 49ers consider it "50-50" as to whether wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder) will be able to play in Sunday night's NFC Championship game against the Detroit Lions due to the left-shoulder injury he suffered in the Divisional Round win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night, according to a source. The 28-year-old will have more tests to determine the severity of his injury, but it's worth nothing he missed two games during the regular season with a similar injury. We should have a better idea of Samuel's status for the big game later this week when the Niners begin practicing, but for now, he's highly questionable to play. If Samuel cannot suit up, it will mean more targets for Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey in a great matchup.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder), who was ruled out after injuring his left shoulder in the Divisional Round victory over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night, will have more tests on Sunday to determine his status for next week in the NFC Championship. Samuel missed two games this season with an injury to the same shoulder. The 28-year-old hurt his shoulder on the team's second drive of the game and finished with just two catches for 24 yards. He had previously been evaluated for a head injury on the first drive of the game. If Samuel's shoulder injury is serious enough to keep him out of the NFC title game, tight end George Kittle and receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings will need to pick up more of the slack through the air for the Niners. Running back Christian McCaffrey should also see some more checkdown passes.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle was instrumental in the team's 24-21 comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers in Saturday's Divisional Round. Kittle secured four of seven targets for a team-leading 81 yards and a touchdown. The second-quarter, 32-yard strike was San Francisco's first score of the game and a brilliant display of what Kittle is capable of in one-on-one coverage. In the fourth quarter, he committed a bad drop during the 49ers' final drive that may not have been so easily forgotten had Brandon Aiyuk not picked up a first down the next play en route to the comeback. Kittle will be a boom/bust option when he takes on either the Detroit Lions or Tampa Bay Buccaneers in next Sunday's NFC Championship Game in Santa Clara.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings didn't see many passes thrown his way in 2023 but played a key role in the team's 24-21 comeback Divisional Round victory over the Green Bay Packers in Santa Clara on Saturday night. Jennings saw his involvement increase early in the game when Deebo Samuel (shoulder) left the game and could not return. The former seventh-round pick and role player caught five of six targets for 61 yards and handled one rushing attempt for minus-one yard. He'll be in play as a cheap DFS option in next Sunday's NFC Championship Game if Samuel can't go, but otherwise, he cannot be relied upon to produce.