49ers Beat: Deebo Samuel fires back at former 49er Raheem Mostert ahead of Dolphins game.
The wide back has clapped back.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel responded, via Twitter, on Monday to recent comments about the franchise from his ex-teammate, Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert.
Wrote Samuel: “Raheem be real with yourself.”
The message added more pre-kickoff spice to the 49ers' meeting on Sunday against the Dolphins at Levi's Stadium. Mostert is among a host of Miami players and coaches with deep 49ers ties, a group headlined by first-year head coach Mike McDaniel.
Mostert, who spent six seasons with the 49ers before signing with the Dolphins in March, was critical of how the team handled his knee injury last year and also made a comment that's been perceived as a shot at 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in a recent article on golongtd.com.
A day after Mostert suffered chipped knee cartilage in the 2021 season opener, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Mostert would have arthroscopic surgery and would be sidelined for eight weeks. The following day, Mostert announced via social media that he would undergo season-ending surgery.
Mostert, who was in the final year of his contract, said the 49ers were upset when he decided to prioritize his long-term health and miss the rest of the season.
“It isn't right,” Mostert said. “And it's up to the player to step up and say, ‘This isn't right. I don't think this is the best of my interest.' Sometimes you don't get that with players. But, for me, that was my case.
“I knew exactly what I wanted. I knew exactly how I'd handle the situation. I knew exactly — coming off of rehab — what I needed to do in order to get back on the field.”
Last year, Shanahan told reporters Mostert's decision to have seasonending surgery “made sense” to him after he'd learned more about the nature of his knee injury. On Monday, Shanahan was asked whether the 49ers were upset about Mostert's decision last season.
“There was all different types of opinions during that,” Shanahan said. “From where we were at, Raheem, his agent, everybody. Just like there always is — there's first opinions, there's second opinions. So, yeah, there's always different opinions on those things.”
Meanwhile, Mostert, in praising his current quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, made a comment to golongtd.com that's been viewed as a critique of Garoppolo, who isn't known for his deep passing.
Said Mostert, “We have a quarterback who can actually sling it.”
On Sunday, after the story published, Mostert tweeted that he didn't “dog” Garoppolo in his interview and was praising Tagovailoa. He also said he was complimentary of Garoppolo, but “hey, let's leave that part out.”
Regardless, Mostert has added to the pregame hype before the 49ers (7-4) host the Dolphins (8-3). Cornerback Jimmie Ward was already looking ahead to the showdown after the 49ers beat the Saints 13-0 at Levi's Stadium on Sunday.
“We know we've got another challenge coming into our house,” Ward said. “That's the Miami Dolphins and they've got former players that used to play here. Former coaches. They've got a chip on their shoulder. So we're going to have go back out there and strap it up and get prepared for a physical game.”
Garoppolo OK: Shanahan said Garoppolo avoided a significant injury when Saints defensive lineman Malcolm Roach hit him in his left knee, which was surgically repaired in 2018. Roach was flagged for roughing the passer for his third-quarter hit, and Garoppolo came up limping after he was slow to get up.
Garoppolo took several other big hits and was feelings the effects Monday.
“It was relief that no serious injuries came up,” Shanahan said. “I know he's pretty sore today so hopefully he'll work that out by Wednesday.”
Shanahan said defensive tackle Arik Armstead (foot, ankle) had a “real good week” after he returned to practice Friday on a limited basis for the first time since he played in a win against the Rams on Oct. 3. Shanahan said he was “hoping” Armstead would practice Wednesday.
In addition, rookie right guard Spencer Burford could practice later in the week after he suffered a sprained ankle against the Saints.