49ers-Rams: Deebo Samuel takes responsibility for the crucial pass loss

Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Just days after making headlines for suggesting that a lack of opportunity was the cause of his diminished performance this season, san francisco 49ers wide receiver deebo samuel opened up on thursday night about a crucial bad pass that may have taken points off the board during his team’s 12-minute round. 6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

After catching just two passes for 22 yards in a win over the Chicago Bears, Samuel responded to criticism that he was struggling by posting on X that he “had no problems at all, just not getting the ball.” The 49ers seemed intent on giving Samuel chances on Thursday against the Rams, but when given the most important chance of the game, Samuel missed that chance.

The play in question occurred on a 3rd-and-10 from the Rams’ 29-yard line with a tied 3 in the third quarter. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw a ball that Samuel probably would have taken for a touchdown if he had caught it, but instead it bounced off his hands and fell to the ground incomplete.

After the game, Samuel took full responsibility for the costly crash.

“Very, very frustrating,” said Samuel, who heard a few boos from the crowd at Levi’s Stadium after he dropped the pass. “At the end of the day, when I catch the ball, there’s nothing there but the end zone. I just have to catch this route.”

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was succinct in his assessment of this particular game, telling reporters that Samuel needed to get the ball, especially in that moment.

“That was a big deal,” Shanahan said. “In third place, given Deebo’s ability, I would have been shocked if he hadn’t scored on the play. Everyone knows the answer to that. Deebo too – he has to catch the ball.”

Samuel came into the game this season with 40 catches for 553 yards and a touchdown, with 32 carries for 92 yards and a rushing touchdown. Against the Rams, he was targeted seven times and had three catches for 16 yards while carrying the ball twice for three yards.

When asked, Samuel told reporters he was happy with the game plan the 49ers implemented on Thursday.

“Yes,” said Samuel. “At the end of the day we didn’t win, so we just have to get better.”

49ers tight end George Kittle supported Samuel after the game, saying that Samuel’s statement on social media and his drop on Thursday were due to his excitement and desire to make plays.

“I can’t really imagine Deebo dropping passes like that,” Kittle said. “I think he is one of the best in the world at being open in the middle of the field and getting a ball in the house. He’s just so excited to make a play because you guys saw his tweet or whatever. That was him.” Like a frustration, whatever that is. And I think he’s just – it’s not fear, he’s just so excited and ready to play football and I’ve never seen him drop a pass like that before… I bet that’s him But Deebo is still a very talented player and I need him to play at a high level for the rest of the season.

Kittle also said he spoke to Samuel after the game and told him to own up to what happened during the week and then put it behind him.

“Speak to the media, take responsibility for everything you said before,” Kittle said of Samuel. “The way you played tonight, take control, leave it in the past and move on because there are better days ahead for Deebo. There are still plays to be made for Deebo, and he has more opportunities ahead of him to make plays for this team.”

“I believe in Deebo. I’ve had games where I’ve suffered regressions. I’ve had games where I didn’t play my best game and people picked me up and allowed me to play at a high level again. And I.” Dear Deebo, even though it wasn’t his thing tonight when he got his hands on his ball I thought he’d work his ass off to try and play for us, but he still has plenty Games in front of you.”

Samuel probably appreciated Kittle’s encouragement after the game, but was still hard on himself.

“George is George,” said Samuel. “He came over (and said), ‘I’ve seen you play this play a million times. Don’t let it consume you.’ But I feel like I can make this play, I think we’ll win the game.”

Samuel’s performance with the 49ers has fluctuated since an All-Pro season in 2021 in which he caught 77 passes for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for 365 yards and eight touchdowns. Samuel had a poor season in 2022 (56 catches, 632 yards, two touchdowns; 42 carries, 232 yards, three touchdowns) after spending time on the sidelines in the preseason due to a holdout, then bounced back in the year In 2023, he had 60 catches for 892 yards and seven touchdowns with 37 carries for 225 yards and five touchdowns. He still has three games left to finish 2024 on a high note, but 2024 will likely go down as a season to forget for Samuel, with Thursday night’s dropped pass a low point.

“I came down the middle and saw nothing but the end zone. At the end of the day I have to look the ball in and score,” said Samuel.