Key 49ers player has chance to play in NFC title game

The 49ers lost three games while playing their starters this season; Samuel missed 11 of the 12 quarters in those losses. Samuel suffered an injury to the same left shoulder he hurt in October, but Kyle Shanahan confirmed (via ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner) that the fifth-year wideout did not sustain a fracture (he sustained a microfracture in the shoulder in October).

Samuel has a chance to play in the NFC Championship Game, ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds. Shanahan added Samuel only sustained a shoulder injury Saturday night, despite being initially checked for a concussion. With it being too early to determine Samuel’s practice status, Schefter indicates the $24M-per-year player is 50-50 to play against the Lions.

Samuel’s shoulder injury likely prevented the 49ers from joining the Air Coryell Chargers, the 2004 Colts and a few others in the exclusive club with three 1,000-yard pass catchers. Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle eclipsed 1,000 this season; Samuel finished with 892. The South Carolina alum added 225 rushing yards and five TDs. Samuel’s impact can be felt more on a per-play basis; in the regular season, Wagoner notes the 49ers averaged 7.1 yards per play with the former second-round pick on the field and 5.7 when he was sidelined.

Initially injuring his shoulder in the first quarter of a Week 6 loss to the Browns, Samuel was also sidelined for ensuing losses against the Vikings and Bengals. The 49ers rallied once Samuel (and left tackle Trent Williams) returned to action, ripping off a seven-game win streak that secured them home-field advantage.

Although the 49ers still have Aiyuk, Kittle and Christian McCaffrey available, Samuel being back obviously represents a major variable in the team’s chances of returning to a Super Bowl. No. 3 wideout Jauan Jennings‘ role expands greatly sans Samuel. With Samuel a tossup to play in this game, however, it would appear a near-certainty he would be able to return if San Francisco advances to Super Bowl LVIII.