San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver Carted Off

The San Francisco 49ers are demolishing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers through two quarters of their Week 14 matchup, but a potentially season-altering injury will keep their celebrations muted. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel exited in the second quarter with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

Deebo Samuel was carted off the field.

Prayers up, 19 🙏❤️💛 #IGYB
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 11, 2022

Samuel twisted his knee on a three-yard rush and fumble. He was in immediate agony on the field and was helped to the locker room on a cart. He totalled 64 yards and one touchdown on eight touches before his departure and was a huge part of the 49ers leading the Bucs 28-0 at the half.

Samuel's injury is another in a long line of devastating setbacks for a promising 49ers squad. The team lost starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a foot injury last week that is expected to cost him the year, and that was after opening day starter and 2021 third-overall pick Trey Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2. If Samuel's injury costs him significant time, the 49ers' Super Bowl hopes may be up in smoke.

Samuel joined the 49ers as their 36th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. After a solid rookie season and an injury-riddled second year, he emerged as one of the league's most unique and explosive offensive players in 2021, nabbing 77 receptions for 1405 receiving yards and six touchdowns at an amazing 11.6 yards per target while adding 365 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. That amazing season earned him a three-year, $71.55 million extension from the 49ers this past offseason.