San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel left Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks with a right hamstring injury, going down on a play that also cost his team a fumble during a turnover-heavy afternoon with major NFC West implications.
The injury happened late in the third quarter. Quarterback Brock Purdy took the shotgun snap and handed the ball to Samuel, who was running toward the left sideline trying to get around the edge. His right hamstring gave out as he reached the corner, and he went down and lost the ball, giving Seattle another possession that it converted into three points.
It was San Francisco’s second straight possession to end in a turnover. The one before it was a Purdy interception that Seattle turned into a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Samuel’s fumble was the seventh combined turnover of the game.
Samuel left the field clutching his hamstring, and the 49ers’ medical staff ruled him out for the rest of the game. San Francisco then lost a second receiver, Jacob Cowing, to an ankle injury a few minutes later.
How serious Samuel’s hamstring injury is remains unclear. Further evaluation, potentially including imaging, is expected to determine whether it is a mild strain or something more serious. Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has already missed three games this season with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain, a reminder of how long these injuries can sideline a player.
For a 49ers team chasing first place in the NFC West, surviving the turnovers from Sunday’s game may prove easier than replacing Samuel if he is out for an extended period.
