Shanahan, Jimmy G not worried by Deebo's lower receiver numbers

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Deebo Samuel’s receiving stats might have gone down recently, but no one at 49ers headquarters is concerned. 

In the past three games that Samuel has suited up, the third-year receiver has only caught three of his seven targets for 49 yards and zero touchdowns. As a ball carrier, however, Samuel has been much more productive

In his last four appearances, Samuel has carried the ball 27 times for 218 yards and five touchdowns. The South Carolina product’s 7.3 yards-per-carry average over the season is second only to Raheem Mostert, who carried the ball twice for 20 yards before being placed on injured reserve. 

Kyle Shanahan sees it as a normal ebb and flow of the game. With the health of several of the 49ers' running backs in question, Samuel has been asked to revisit his ball-carrier background in their place, and George Kittle has emerged as the top target for QB Jimmy Garoppolo. 

Week 14 was also Samuel’s first game back since straining his groin in the club’s win over the Minnesota Vikings. Part of his role change was a result of his limited ability to practice throughout the week. 

“It's just kind of how it is sometimes,” Shanahan said. “Kittle had some real good stats these last two games, the games before that I don't think he did, but it didn't mean he played much different. It's just how it works out.

“Deebo didn't play as much on third down. Him not practicing all week, we limited him a bunch with this play count. And I think he ended up getting like 40, 45, but didn't have as many opportunities. But the one we did give him an opportunity he did pretty good on.”

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Garoppolo has spread the ball around to multiple receivers. Along with Kittle’s 21 catches for 332 yards and three touchdowns in the past two contests, Brandon Aiyuk has continued to emerge. Jauan Jennings has also made some big plays when called upon.

“I can remember early in the season, Deebo getting all that attention,” Garoppolo said. “I think it opens other guys up. And then obviously, the injury, things happened with that, but I think whenever you can spread the ball like that to different positions and different guys at those positions, it makes it tough on defenses, especially in situational football. 

“End of the game third down, who's going to get the ball? They have to defend everything.”

 

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