RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 3 sourcesThe San Francisco 49ers have dealt with injuries early in camp, which led the team to sign wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who spent the first six years of his career with the team, on Saturday.
Samuel rejoins the 49ers after general manager John Lynch traded him to the Washington Commanders for a 2025 fifth-round pick last offseason. The wideout went on to play 16 games and catch 72 passes for 272 yards and five touchdowns.
Now that he's back in the building, 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is thrilled that he doesn't have to prepare to defend him anymore.
“I’ve hated him so long, and it’s so nice to have him back in a friendly atmosphere," Morris said with a laugh. "He’s been one of those guys that’s been a highly competitive guy in the National Football League that you’ve got to deal with. No matter what the circumstance of the game is, what the situation is of the game, you’ve got to be aware. He’s the ultimate piece that can move around, and you have to game plan around him because of his ability to run the football, his ability to line up at receiver, his ability to take screens, his ability to do a bunch of different things on special teams, whether it be return man or whatever the case may be. He’s so versatile, and we’ve used him so well in the Bay for so long. We were kind of catching up. Caught up yesterday, but it’s always good to see him, a face that’s familiar around this building, and getting him back is really cool.”
Morris was asked about two memorable games that his teams faced Samuel, and he recalled the pain instantly.
“Let’s just sum it up like this," Morris said. "I think it was ‘22 and he caught this pass on us that we should have picked off, and I think he took it for about 60. I think he was a free agent, and [the highlight] played every day that summer. I couldn’t watch ESPN for the entire summer because I kept watching Deebo score a 60-yard touchdown on us. Those are the biggest memories I have of him. Him making big-time plays on us and them finding ways to get him the ball in unique situations and getting him involved in the space, and we know what he can do in space.”
With Ricky Pearsall done for the year, Samuel will have a chance to be San Francisco's WR2 behind Mike Evans. He's been a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in San Francisco. This time, they're just asking him to be a reliable weapon for quarterback Brock Purdy.
More 49ers: What the 49ers can learn from the Commanders to maximize Deebo Samuel
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: One 49ers coach hated Deebo Samuel for 'so long'
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