The San Francisco 49ers are 3-0 on the season after besting the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and in the process, one player broke an unusual, long-standing NFL record.
Early in the first quarter of Sunday's game, the 49ers utilized a bit of trickery to get on the scoreboard first. Mike Evans caught a Brock Purdy pass on third and long, but before being tackled the wide receiver pitched the ball to Deebo Samuel for the hook and ladder play. Samuel then took the ball 80 yards for the touchdown, putting on the jets and speeding past the Cardinals for the 7-0 score.
It was a great, dynamic play between Evans and Samuel. It also made for an interesting statline for Samuel, as he totaled 80 receiving yards on the play but didn't record a reception due
to how that play is scored.
MIKE EVANS FLIPS IT TO DEEBO FOR THE TD@AZvsSF on FOX/FOX One
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/GOuLwblygR
By game's end, Samuel didn't see the ball again for a reception, meaning he totaled 80 yards of offense on zero receptions. By doing so, Samuel broke a 65-year-old NFL record for the most receiving yards in a game without a reception, besting Timmy Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles, who put up 65 yards and no catches during a Week 12 game in 1961.
Most receiving yards in a game without a reception:
— NFL Researcher (@NFL_Researcher) September 27, 2026
1. Deebo Samuel (Week 3, 2026) – 80
2. Timmy Brown (Week 12, 1961) – 65
3. Bob Nussbaumer (Week 8, 1948) - 63
Pretty remarkable NFL history!
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Deebo Samuel sets weird NFL history thanks to 49ers trick play touchdown
