After 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel created a stir with a social media post in which he said he was “not struggling at all just not getting the ball,” Samuel deleted the post. But in the 49ers’ locker room on Tuesday, Samuel acknowledged to reporters that he’s frustrated.
“You read what you read, a little frustrated for sure,” Samuel said.
Asked if he talks to coach Kyle Shanahan about getting touches, Samuel answered, “Oh, yeah, 100 percent, yeah.”
Samuel has been a non-factor in the 49ers’ passing game in recent weeks, totaling just 85 receiving yards over the last four games. And his drop-off as a runner has been even more significant: Last season, Samuel carried the ball 37 times for 225 yards and five touchdowns. This season Samuel has carried the ball 32 times for 92 yards and one touchdown. Samuel said opposing defenses are ready for him running the ball.
“They’re not surprised anymore,” Samuel said. “We’ve been doing it for almost three years now, so it’s kind of you got a 50/50 chance, whether I’m in the backfield, getting a handoff or end around or anything along those lines.”
With the 49ers’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread, getting Samuel back to his former All-Pro form could help save their season. But right now, frustrations are mounting.
