Samuel, Bourne uncertain vs. Saints
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers’ healthy receivers at practice ahead of the New Orleans Saints game have been rookie Brandon Aiyuk and Richie James Jr. That’s it.
Deebo Samuel has missed both sessions with a hamstring injury while Kendrick Bourne hasn’t been allowed in team headquarters for anything beyond a COVID-19 screening since last week. River Cracraft, who was recently promoted from the practice squad and was targeted five times in last week’s loss to the Packers, missed Thursday’s session with a quadriceps contusion suffered Wednesday.
Trent Taylor returned to practice Thursday after back stiffness kept him out Wednesday and Dante Pettis was waived last week and is now a New York Giant.
Which means there are plenty of questions at receiver ahead of Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Among them, will either Samuel or Bourne return to practice Friday in time to help out backup quarterback Nick Mullens in the Super Dome?
Asked about injuries during a KNBR interview on Thursday, Shanahan offered updates, though he wasn’t optimistic about Samuel, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.
“I think he’s a pretty (big) longshot for this weekend,” Shanahan said.
On Bourne: “I know there’s a chance we can get him here (Friday) with the COVID protocols . ... If Bourne can get in, it’ll be a good deal, because normally missing that much practice, I’d probably go a different direction, but we’re a little depleted right now.”
Shanahan also noted Cracraft will likely be a game-time decision. Given all the injuries, the 49ers could call on Kevin White, who has appeared in three games but has not been targeted.
“Yeah, it’s definitely been a fluid situation over the past couple of weeks and (one of) the things that we’ve had to deal with,” Mullens said on Zoom Thursday. “But, at the same time, those are guys that I’ve gotten reps with, whether it be camp, practice, throughout the years. So, there’s guys that I’ve worked with. I like that. We feel very comfortable with each other and every practice rep matters and that’s what counts.”
The silver lining could be James getting another shot at a
prominent role. The thirdyear pro is coming off a career night last Thursday against Green Bay when he recorded nine catches for 184 yards and a touchdown. He came into the game with just 295 yards combined over his first two seasons.
James on Thursday was asked about his lack of opportunities during his first two seasons.
“Just knowing the opportunity’s going to come eventually,” James said, “obviously it comes with time and patience and how the business works. That’s probably the thing that will continue to keep my head (in the right place) as we go along in this process.”