San Francisco 49ers

Once it became apparent Ricky Pearsall is at risk of being sidelined indefinitely, it made too much sense: the 49ers are bringing back WR Deebo Samuel, adding the gadget receiver to their offense after a year away.

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Samuel was traded to the Commanders in an offseason deal last year, but he was among the many Washington players who struggled to live up to expectations, staying mostly healthy but finishing the season with only 727 yards through the air.

The 49ers won’t ask him to be the player he was when he exploded for 1,405 yards in 2021, but Samuel could be used all over the field in an offense he already knows well.

Here’s a look signing impacts the 49ers.

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Deebo Samuel contract details

Samuel is signing a 1-year contract worth up tp $7 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. 

The 30-year-old spent nearly five months unsigned after a down season with the Commanders, but an opportunity was always likely to open up as teams took hits to their wide receiver corps in training camp, and the 49ers happened to be one of the teams dealing with early injuries at the position.

Samuel will hope to prove he hasn’t lost a step and land a multi-year deal next offseason.

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Why Deebo Samuel returned to 49ers

What kind of interest Samuel received this offseason isn’t clear — whatever it was, it wasn’t enough to convince him to sign — but the opportunity to return to an offense he already knows and is comfortable with is likely a major bonus. 

The 49ers need wide receivers as they deal with injuries to key pass-catchers, and Samuel has six years of experience in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Samuel has an injury history of his known, but he stayed mostly healthy in 2025.

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Samuel’s versatility is also a plus for the 49ers, as he was often used in a gadget role out of the backfield during his first stint with the team and could again be used all over the field if the 49ers get healthier at the wide receiver position. 

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49ers WR depth chart

The 49ers have plenty of camp bodies at wide receiver, but the need for a proven receiver increased with the team expressing concern about Pearsall’s PCL injury, which dates back to last season. Pearsall is at risk of requiring surgery, which would leave the ‘Niners relying on veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in addition to second-round rookie De’Zhaun Stribling.

By adding Samuel, the 49ers are bringing in someone who can quickly get up to speed and take some of the pressure off Evans and Kirk while ensuring Stribling doesn’t have to take on a major role right from the start.

49ers injuries

The 49ers are already missing one pass-catcher as TE George Kittle works his way back from a torn Achilles, which could force him to miss the start of the regular season, and they are now reportedly «exploring all options» with WR Ricky Pearsall as he deals with swelling related to a knee injury he suffered last season.

If Pearsall undergoes surgery, he is at risk of missing the entire season.

The 49ers also saw Christian Kirk pop up with a calf issue at the start of camp, though it isn’t believed to be a major injury. 

Wide receiver isn’t the only position impacted by injuries for the 49ers, as they are missing S Malik Mustapha (hamstring), RB Jordan James (fractured rib), OT Vederian Lowe (high ankle sprain) and DT Gracen Halton (knee) after injuries in the opening practices of training camp.

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