Deebo Samuel: San Francisco 49ers receiver has surgery on broken foot
Richie James Jr. also injured after breaking his wrist during off-season workouts
Saturday 20 June 2020 11:09, UK
San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel has undergone surgery after breaking a bone in his left foot during informal workouts with teammates in Tennessee, while Richie James Jr. has broken his wrist.
The 49ers confirmed that Samuel suffered a Jones fracture, which is a break between the base and the middle part of the fifth metatarsal in his foot.
The team says it will have a better idea of Samuel's timetable to return once he arrives at training camp next month.
Samuel tweeted that he will be back and better than before in 10 weeks. That would give him a little more than two weeks to get ready for the scheduled season opener on September 13 against Arizona.
He also took to Instagram from hospital and said: "Surgery went perfect. I'm telling you, in 10 weeks, it'll be a better Deebo than you've ever seen. I'm telling you. Legendary."
The Niners lost receiver Trent Taylor for the season last year after he needed a second operation and got an infection that required more surgeries.
Samuel had been one of several 49ers players working out this week in Nashville as NFL facilities remain closed to players because of the coronavirus pandemic.
He is being counted on to be a key part of the offense for the defending NFC champion 49ers, after San Francisco lost receiver Emmanuel Sanders in free agency.
The 24-year-old had a promising debut season in the NFL last year after being picked in the second round out of South Carolina.
In addition to Samuel needing foot surgery, it has now been confirmed that James will be on the sidelines too.
The 49ers validated a report of the injury by NFL Network on Friday and said they will have a better idea of how long he will be sidelined after he reports to training camp next month.
NFL Network has stated that James is expected to miss at least two months.
James originally joined the Niners as a seventh-round pick in 2018 and has been the team's primary returner for punts and kicks.
Over the past two years, James has averaged 23.4 yards per kick return with one touchdown in 2018 against Seattle and 7.5 yards per punt return.
He has also gained limited time as a receiver, catching 15 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns.
The 49ers previously lost receiver Emmanuel Sanders in free agency to New Orleans and will now open training camp with only one of the four receivers who played in the Super Bowl, Kendrick Bourne, able to practice.
