San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel made a triumphant return to practice on Thursday, just two days after being released from the hospital following a fierce battle with pneumonia. His presence on the field, albeit limited, is a promising sign that Samuel may be able to suit up on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed his relief at Samuel’s progress, stating, “The fact that he was able to be out there and attempt some stuff, to me, is good news. I remember having pneumonia in my early 20s, and I did not feel like I could even walk down stairs about a week later. So there’s all different types of levels of it. He’s doing much better.”
Shanahan further explained, “What I’ve learned is pneumonias can be a little bit different. He had a kind of a little bit of an unusual one, but he’s doing good enough that he was able to practice today. Hopefully, that’ll continue getting better, and hopefully, he’ll have a chance to help us out on Sunday.”
Samuel had only played four snaps in the previous game against the Kansas City Chiefs before his pneumonia diagnosis. Despite the setback, he has managed to rack up an impressive 20 receptions for 335 yards and a touchdown so far this season.
As fans eagerly anticipate Samuel’s potential return to the lineup, his resilience and determination in the face of adversity serve as a testament to his unwavering commitment to the game. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to showcase his skills on the field come Sunday, but one thing is for certain – Samuel’s heart and spirit are as strong as ever.
