49ers notebook: Deebo Samuel returns to practice and George Kittle is ‘full go’
The 49ers on Wednesday welcomed back their top receiver to the practice field ahead of Sunday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Deebo Samuel, who last practiced with the team during Super Bowl week in Miami, was on hand and in uniform for the first time since suffering a Jones fracture in his foot in June. The team officially opened his practice window after the wide receiver was placed on injured reserve just before the first game of the season after he experienced a minor setback that included unexpected soreness.
As to Samuel’s status for Sunday, it will depend on how he looks at practice, though it appears likely he’ll make his 2020 debut.
“He’s healthy, so we just want to see him out there and get back in the swing of playing football. It’s been awhile since he has,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I know he’s been working hard on his own with football and everything and with our trainers and everyone else with the rehab. We just need to see him go through three days and what type of shape he’s in and if he can protect himself, he’ll be out there.”
Samuel’s pending return Sunday could mean the 49ers have their full complement of receivers for the first time this season, except for Jalen Hurd, who went down with a torn ACL in training camp. Samuel would join a group featuring promising rookie Brandon Aiyuk, who had 101 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in last week’s blowout of the New York Giants, newcomer Mohamed Sanu, Kendrick Bourne, Trent Taylor and Dante Pettis.
Additionally, tight end George Kittle was back on the practice field after returning last week and seems poised to play Sunday for the first time since Week 1, when he hyperextended his left knee. Kittle practiced with the team last week in West Virginia on a limited basis, but didn’t play against the Giants. Kittle was listed as a full participant Wednesday.
“I think we’ll always be smart with him,” Shanahan said. “We’re not just going to throw him in with his normal reps and everything, but he’s full go. He’ll be involved in it all and I’m excited to see him out there going.”
However, it’s unclear who will be delivering throws to 49ers pass catchers. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo did not practice while he continues to recover from the high ankle sprain suffered Week 2 against the New York Jets, leaving Nick Mullens to get all the reps with the starters.
Shanahan indicated that Garoppolo has a shot for Sunday despite missing practice time, but it will come down to how well he’s moving on his plant ankle.
“He’s just got to be able to be healthy in terms of he can run around and protect himself, make throws,” Shanahan said. “Anytime you’re dealing with an ankle, you might feel all right when you’re standing there, but can you move around and get into the awkward positions without hurting yourself? That’s really what we’d have to see.”
Garoppolo spent the portion of practice open to reporters in the weight room and came on to the field as soon as they were leaving. Shanahan left the door open on Garoppolo returning to practice Thursday or Friday.
“It would be tough for us to see that and truly judge that if he didn’t get into practice,” he said. “Hopefully can get out there for at least one live period and we have those all the way up until Friday. So we’ve just got to see that he’s healthy, but that won’t be able to happen if we can’t get him in practice.”
Shanahan was also asked if there was a chance Garoppolo could lose his starting job if Mullens if he replicates his impressive 343-yard performance from last week. Shanahan shot that idea down with relative force.
“No, that scenario doesn’t exist, but I don’t think past one game either,” Shanahan said. “So that’s for you to do, but this is Jimmy’s team. He’s done a hell of a job for us and when he’s healthy, he’ll be playing again for us.”
49ers make a move at long snapper
Long snapper Kyle Nelson, one of the longest tenured players on the roster, was released Wednesday following his poor showing against the Giants that included five bad snaps on field goal and extra-point attempts. He’ll be replaced by Taybor Pepper, who spent all last season long snapping for the Miami Dolphins.
Nelson had been with the team since 2014 and appeared in 89 games for San Francisco lasting through four coaching regimes (Jim Harbaugh, Jim Tomsula, Chip Kelly and Shanahan). He was generally well liked in the locker room and one of the few signs of stability in the organization during all the turnover.
Nelson was benched in the fourth quarter on Sunday in favor of backup tackle Justin Skule on the final extra point. Shanahan indicated that Nelson’s performance had slipped this season and Sunday was the tipping point.
“We felt it was a little inevitable after the game and everything,” Shanahan said. “It was always difficult because of what Kyle’s meant to the organization, how good of a guy Kyle is, how good of a player that he’s been and it doesn’t mean he can’t be going forward. It’s always hard from the personal relationship that we’ve had with him and he knew the deal and it was just a tough game for him.”
It would seem odd that a long snapper would suddenly see his skill set deteriorate so quickly, but Shanahan indicated earlier in the week Nelson might have been dealing with a case of the yips which can be common among kickers. The good news for the 49ers is Nelson’s inaccurate snaps didn’t cost them on Sunday given the nature of the 36-9 blowout.
“It’s very similar to the kicker position and people can get hot and cold. Kyle hasn’t been playing as good as he has in the past,” Shanahan said. “It was kind of trending a little bit that way. If you see things trending that way, just a little bit, you try to make a decision before it hurts you.”
Injury report and other notes
Running back Jerick McKinnon (ribs) and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring) were listed as full participants in Wednesday’s practice.
McKinnon received treatment injury early in the week but appears in line to play his fourth straight game on Sunday. Witherspoon was absent against the Giants because he tweaked his hamstring during the week of practice which allowed Jason Verrett to get the start.
▪ The list of 49ers who didn’t practice Wednesday was lengthy: defensive Dee Ford (back), Garoppolo (ankle), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quadricep), cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (concussion), running back Raheem Mostert (knee), tight end Jordan Reed (knee), cornerback K’Waun Williams (hip).
Mostert, Williams and Greenlaw were seen sprinting and doing conditioning drills on the side. Williams was wearing a helmet and cleats, which would indicate his hip injury isn’t expected to be long term. Greenlaw isn’t expected to play this week while Mostert and Williams are considered day to day.
Ford and Reed, meanwhile, are expected to get placed on injured reserve later this week, Shanahan said. Ford has been dealing with a back issue since before Week 2 and Reed left Sunday’s game in the first half with a sprained left knee.
▪ The 49ers placed linebacker and special teams standout Mark Nzeocha on injured reserve due to a quadriceps injury and brought back tight end Daniel Helm to the active roster. Helm, who was on the team late last season, was on the Buccaneers’ practice squad.
▪ San Francisco added offensive lineman Cody Conway and tight Charlie Taumoepeau to the practice squad. They released tackle William Sweet from the practice squad to make room.
▪ The Eagles practice report Wednesday was also lengthy. Players that didn’t participate: receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (calf), guard Jamon Brown (illness), defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (abdomen), tackle Jack Driscoll (illness), safety Rudy Ford (groin), receiver DeSean Jackson (hamstring), cornerback Avonte Maddox (ankle), tackle Jason Peters (illness) and cornerback Trevor Williams (rib).
Limited were receiver Alshon Jeffery (foot), tackle Lane Johnson (ankle), center Jason Kelce (not injury related) and running back Miles Sanders (glute).
This story was originally published September 30, 2020 at 4:05 PM.
