SANTA CLARA — Deebo Samuel, confined to a hospital for pneumonia-like symptoms earlier this week, is questionable but trending on playing in the 49ers’ home game Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
Last Sunday, Samuel reported feeling ill in the morning, played just four snaps before watching the 49ers’ 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, then was sent to a local hospital for a two-night stay.
“It’s gotten better each day,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “We’ve gone slow with him, not pushing him too hard.”
Samuel’s ability to practice Thursday and Friday came as welcome and necessary sights for a receiving corps that lost Brandon Aiyuk to a season-ending knee injury last Sunday for the 49ers (3-4).
That unit, however, will miss Jauan Jennings (hip) for a second straight game, before his expected return after next week’s bye. Also ruled out were defensive tackle Kevin Givens (groin) and kicker Jake Moody (ankle).
Tight end George Kittle (foot), cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (illness) and safety George Odum (knee) are questionable.
The Cowboys (3-3) will remain without edge rusher Micah Parsons (ankle) and cornerback Daron Bland (foot). Linebacker Eric Kendrick, Dallas’ leading tackler, is expected to return from a one-game absence (shoulder) and play against the 49ers, whom he agreed to join in free agency before defecting four days later and signing with the Cowboys.
In the 49ers’ wins over the Cowboys each of the last three seasons – including the 2021 and ’22 playoffs – Samuel has scored one touchdown combined, though he’s produced 113 rushing yards (19 carries) and 138 receiving yards (13 catches).
Had Samuel’s condition not improved so rapidly, the 49ers likely would be in hot pursuit of a wide receiver before the Nov. 5 trade deadline, though they still could be.
“For this week, it’s not going to be ideal, but we think with Jauan, Deebo, Ricky (Pearsall), Jake (Cowing), Chris (Conley), Ronnie Bell, we’ve got enough there,” general manager John Lynch said on KNBR 680-AM. “Our track record has shown were always going to field calls, we’re always going to make calls to see what’s out there and if we can improve our team we will, but I do like this group.”
Lynch also likes the prospects of running back Christian McCaffrey, linebacker Dre Greenlay, defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos, safety Talanoa Hufanga and offensive lineman Jon Feliciano being activated off injured reserve after the bye.
“If we can get those guys back, that’s the boost we need as much as anybody we’re going to bring in from the outside,” Lynch said. “Hopefully we can start to get some of these guys back while we remain healthy. The most important thing this week is to find a way to beat the Cowboys. It will be a fun environment on a Sunday night.”
GAME-DAY NOTES
Parking lots open at 1:50 p.m. on Sunday, with stadium gates opening 30 minutes later for club and suite ticket holders, followed by all ticket holders at 3:20 p.m. Country music singer Nate Smith will perform at halftime, and John Glosson will perform the national anthem. Navy veteran Monica Calderon is this week’s Frontline Hero the Game.
