49ers Deebo Samuel Still Questionable For NFC Championship

San Fransisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel‘s status for their NFC title game matchup against the Detroit Lions is still currently in question. Samuel left the 49ers 24-21 Divisional Round win against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter with a shoulder injury and never returned to the game.

Samuel did sit out two games earlier in the season with a hairline fracture in his shoulder coming against the Browns. This time, x-rays after the game didn’t show any broken bones, which is a good sign for Samuel, but according to reports, he is still not back to peak physical condition.

“He’s still in a lot of pain, still struggling to get full movement in his shoulder,” NFL reporter Ian Rapoport said on Wednesday. “He did rehab right after the injury, like that night, so really started the road to recovery immediately.”

Samuel has been a key factor for the 49ers this year, finishing the regular season with 60 catches and seven touchdowns. Though missing most of the game against the Packers after sustaining the injury, Samuel still caught two passes for 24 yards.

Reports by Rappaport on Wednesday state that Samuel did not practice with the team in their first of three before the game, and is still uncertain for Sunday night.

With their advance to the NFC championship game, the 49ers currently still hold the record for the most appearances, now with 19. On the opposite side, the Detroit Lions have only advanced this far in the playoffs once, that coming in 1992 in a 41-10 loss to Washington. Both teams have looked strong all year, both ending the regular season on 12-5 records.

Samuel has been a big-impact player for a majority of his career, and his presence will surely be missed by quarterback Brock Purdy and the rest of the 49ers offense if his injury continues to linger.