Kyle Shanahan responds to Deebo Samuel claiming he isn't getting the ball

In a since deleted tweet, San Francisco 49ers (6-7) receiver Deebo Samuel voiced his frustrations with his usage in the offense this season.

“Not struggling at all just not getting the ball!!!!!!!” Samuel wrote Monday on X.

Samuel, 28, has seldom seen the ball of late, receiving just 19 targets over the past four games. He has hauled in 11 of those targets for just 85 yards and currently has 40 receptions for 553 yards and one touchdown in 12 games.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed Samuel’s outspokenness about his role, saying he communicates often with him about his usage. Shanahan admitted he’d prefer things stay in house but denied it has become a distraction in the building.

Kyle Shanahan chimes in on Deebo Samuel’s outspokenness about offensive usage

Kyle Shanahan on Deebo Samuel tweeting that he isn’t getting the ball:

“I mean I understand Deebo saying that. Deebo wants to help us out and the only way he helps us out is getting the ball more and we’d like to get it to him more. We’ll continue to work at that.” pic.twitter.com/ttwOSCbYrX

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) December 10, 2024

“Deebo and I talk every day. I understand Deebo saying that,” Shanahan said Tuesday. “Deebo wants to help us out, and the only way he helps us out is getting the ball more. We’d like to get it to him more and we’ll continue to work at that. … We’d always love things to stay in-house. That’s probably why I don’t mess with social media. I’m sure I’d get worked up and stuff too if I was reading stuff about myself all the time. And then I’d maybe make a tweet or something too. I mean is it a distraction in our building? No.

“I’ve got to answer questions about, it’s the first time I’ve talked about it is right here. But Deebo and I see each other every day and talk about stuff every day. So, my advice is to not let the outside frustrate you, because just answering those things isn’t going to help you in any way. Usually only hurts you. But as far as like what we deal with and our relationships and our team, it’s water under the bridge.”

Despite his ineffectiveness in the passing game, Samuel is second only to running back Jordan Mason with 72 touches. In addition to his 40 catches, Samuel has 32 carries for 92 yards and a score. Jauan Jennings and George Kittle have been the primary weapons for quarterback Brock Purdy, the two combining for 113 receptions for 1,574 yards and 14 touchdowns.

After deleting his first tweet, Samuel posted another in which he emphasized he wasn’t taking a shot at any of his teammates.

“Just cause I voice my opinions don’t mean I’m hating on any of my teammates!!” Samuel wrote. “Be Fr.”