Just because teams can’t practice together doesn’t mean injuries can’t still occur. The 49ers learned that this week after wide receiver Deebo Samuel suffered a broken foot while training in Nashville.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the injury – which has been called a Jones fracture – occurred at a throwing session with teammates. Samuel will undergo surgery Thursday and should be able to return within three to four months.
That puts him in jeopardy of missing the start of the season, which is three months away. If Samuel has to miss any time, it’ll be a significant blow to the 49ers offense as he’s expected to be the No. 1 receiver for Jimmy Garoppolo.
As a rookie last year, Samuel racked up 802 yards receiving and scored three touchdowns. He also added another 159 yards rushing and three more touchdowns, setting a 49ers record for the most yards from scrimmage by a rookie receiver.
While the prognosis isn’t overly concerning right now, 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor suffered a Jones fracture in the preseason last year and wound up missing the entire season. Foot injuries are tricky, especially for wide receivers who need to put so much weight on the outside of their feet to cut effectively.
Fortunately, the 49ers did select wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in the first round of the draft this year, so his arrival should help replace some of the production lost if Samuel has to miss any regular-season action.
