The San Francisco 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 36-30 over the weekend, improving to 3-0 on the season as they rode a strong performance from Brock Purdy and the offense to a victory.
The game started with fireworks, as the 49ers successfully executed a hook-and-ladder for an 80-yard Deebo Samuel touchdown on their first possession of the game to get an early 7-0 lead. That’s how Samuel ended with one of the most interesting stat lines you’ll ever see: zero catches, 80 yards, and one receiving
touchdown.
So far, through three games, Samuel has caught nine passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns, with his 17.7 yards-per-catch average being a top-10 mark in the NFL. Now, that latter figure has certainly been inflated by his 80-yard touchdown, but the 49ers have quickly begun to involve him in the offense, and he’s continued to see an uptick in snaps week-by-week.
Heading into the season, many of his teammates noted that Deebo was coming into the season with a chip on his shoulder, given how his 2025 season with the Washington Commanders played out and how he went unsigned deep into the offseason before getting a deal with the 49ers.
Well, Samuel got an early touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams and has already started to see a good amount of volume as a receiver and even a runner. Has head coach Kyle Shanahan seen that added motivation from Samuel so far?
“Yeah, I totally get that [chip on his shoulder] because for us to get him back, for us to get him how we did, for him to be available this late and things like that, that’s definitely I think going to put a chip on his shoulder,” Shanahan said about Samuel. “When that stuff happens, people say you’re descending. So, I’m sure Deebo wants to prove that.
“Quickly when we saw him, we watched him on tape, we didn’t feel like he was descending. When Deebo did get the ball and he was in certain situations, you can always see that talent. He had it at the beginning of camp here. I think you see it the most when that ball’s in his hand and he gets a chance to run. Deebo is as fast as anybody at his size that I’ve been around. And he still has that.”
Samuel’s shape has been a question mark in years past, and some have also attributed that to his “decline”. But he’s looked quite fresh so far to start 2026, and has been the lone healthy member of the 49ers’ receiving core.
“I think Deebo’s been in great shape a lot,” Shanahan added. “I think where Deebo’s gotten in trouble is when he’s gotten injured during the year and how hard it is to stay in shape when you’re injured like that. But, I’ve seen Deebo come in like this before a number of years.
“But, I also don’t want to say they’re totally wrong in that. I think Deebo, just as all these guys as they get older too, it’s not just being in shape, but it’s also sleeping right, it’s eating right, it’s the type of conditioning you do on your own, not just on the football field and things like that. And I think Deebo, going into whatever year it is for him now, I think he has a very consistent routine. The more you have a consistent routine, I just believe the easier it is to stick with. I think that’s where I’d say that you would notice the maturing in that way the most.”
The 49ers have seen a good start from Samuel here to open the 2026 season, and his role may continue to grow with the team dealing with injuries.
