San Francisco 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel questionable for NFC Championship game

The San Francisco 49ers may have to face the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship game on Sunday without wide receiver Deebo Samuel. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, sources reveal that the team believes Samuel is “50-50” as they begin preparations for the Lions.

The team’s third-leading receiver this season suffered a shoulder injury in the team’s 24-21 win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. Before his exit from the game, he had two catches for 24 yards.

Not having Samuel available on Sunday would be a crucial blow. The 49ers have not won a game this season that Deebo Samuel didn’t complete and they’ve also seen notable dropoffs in scoring without him.

Against the Packers, the 49ers evaluated Samuel for a concussion but he was able to return after getting looked over. He then left due to the shoulder injury. Luckily, San Francisco eked out the win without him as Jordan Love threw an interception to Dre Greenlaw on the Packers’ final drive of the game.

This season, the former South Carolina star put up 60 catches for 892 yards and seven touchdowns. He added another five touchdowns on the ground with 225 rushing yards. Two of the 49ers pass-catchers finished the regular season with 1,000 yards – Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle.

The 49ers on Sunday will try to hold back a red-hot Lions team. The Lions are headed to their first NFC Championship game since 1991 after taking down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in the Divisional Round. Dan Campbell’s squad beat the Buccaneers 31-23 and is now through the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers.

They’ll be the visitors for the first time during the playoffs after beating Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Rams at home. The Lions’ win at home against the Rams last week was the franchise’s first playoff victory in 32 years, officially ending the league’s longest drought.

NFL Conference Championship weekend schedule

Sunday, Jan. 28

AFC Championship Game
(3) Kansas City Chiefs at (1) Baltimore Ravens
Site: Baltimore, Md.
Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: CBS, Paramount+
Point Spread: Baltimore -3.5

NFC Championship Game
(3) Detroit Lions at (1) San Francisco 49ers
Site: San Francisco, Calif.
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Point Spread: San Francisco -6.5