SANTA CLARA, Calif. _ Sometimes virtual Zoom calls with NFL players can be a nap-inducing exercise.
Believe it or not, players often speak in monotone, reciting player-speak cliches about taking things one day at a time, having a next-man-up mentality or controlling what they can control.
Other times, players can be like Deebo Samuel, whose Zoom call Wednesday required the volume of at least one reporter's laptop speakers to be turned down because he was so emphatically loud. There were no naps to be had with Samuel behind the microphone.
The session started with pleasantries when another reporter asked how Samuel was doing.
"Great!" he yelled, jolting listeners to attention.
The instance spoke to the energy the second-year wideout brings to the 49ers offense in his return from a summer foot injury. Samuel has become known for rallying his teammates with his play by trying to run over every defender in his path. Head coach Kyle Shanahan last week mentioned the intangible impact Samuel had on the practice field.
"Just not having him throughout training camp and stuff, you could feel it (last) Wednesday," Shanahan said. "Deebo's got a personality that everyone gravitates to. He works hard too, but he's a funny guy that guys like to hang around and it was cool to have him out there."
The plan going into Sunday's game against the Eagles was to get Samuel between 20 and 30 snaps as he works himself back into shape. He played 25 in a part-time role for which Shanahan credited position coach Wes Welker for sticking to the plan.
Samuel indicated Wednesday his foot felt good, though there was some natural soreness, since he hasn't appeared in a game since the Super Bowl.
"My foot was fine," he said. "After a game, it's kind of a little sore because it ain't been in those type of positions and all those type of things, just working back into practice last week."
