San Francisco will have a couple of clutch players to secure the second seed in the NFC and fight for the first
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The san francisco 49ers they could their best players for the end of the regular season with the catcher Deebo Samuel and the corridor Elijah Mitchell ready to return from injuries.
Coach kyle shanahan reported on Friday that Deebo Samuel will not have an injury designation and is cleared to play on Sunday against the arizona cardinals for the first time since leaving with knee and ankle injuries during the Week 14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
kyle shanahan pointed out that Elijah Mitchell He will be out of injured reserve on Saturday, returning from a sprained left knee that has sidelined him since Nov. 27.
The corridor Christian McCaffrey He also has no injury designation after missing practice Wednesday and Thursday with ankle and knee injuries.
That should give the 49ers (12-4) a big boost heading into Sunday’s key game against the Cardinals. San Francisco can secure the number two seed with a win or loss from the Minnesota Vikingsand has a chance to be the top seed and bye in the first round with a win and a loss by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Deebo Samuel he has 54 receptions for 612 yards and two touchdowns, along with 228 rushing yards and three TD carries this season.
Samuel made a big impact in last year’s playoffs with 294 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns to help the Niners reach the NFC title game.
He’s not the only major offensive playmaker close to returning for the Niners heading into the playoffs.
Elijah Mitchell He returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since going on injured reserve with a left knee injury. Mitchell also hurt his right knee in the opener and has only played four games this season.
The team is expected to use the last of its eight picks to return from the disabled list and get Mitchell back either this week or for the playoffs.
Mitchell led the 49ers in rushing as a rookie with 963 yards in 2021. He has 40 carries for 224 yards in four games this season. Mitchell has had two stints on injured reserve with knee injuries.
In other injury news, kyle shanahan announced that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo he has regained some strength in his left foot and could be available to return late in the playoffs if the Niners advance.
