Tag: Samuel

Bills star DT Ed Oliver, WR Curtis Samuel activated to play vs. Broncos

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Buffalo Bills activated star defensive tackle Ed Oliver and receiver Curtis Samuel from injured reserve on Friday.

The moves come one day before the sixth-seeded Bills visit the top-seeded Denver Broncos in the AFC divisional round.

Oliver and Samuel had their practice windows opened early this week. Both players are listed as questionable on the Buffalo injury report. Samuel (elbow) practiced in full all week while Oliver (bicep) was limited all three days.

Oliver has played in just three games this season, the last coming against the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 26. He underwent biceps surgery but later injured his knee during his rehab and underwent another procedure.

Oliver, 28, has 30 sacks in 95 career games (86 starts) in seven seasons with Buffalo.

Samuel last appeared in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 26. He had just seven catches for 81 yards and a touchdown in six games this season, his second with Buffalo.

Samuel, 29, has 355 catches for 3,717 yards and 24 scores in nine NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers (2017-20), Washington Commanders (2021-23) and Bills.

Buffalo also elevated receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. and running back Frank Gore Jr. from the practice squad on Friday.

The Bills needed receiver help after Tyrell Shavers and Gabe Davis both sustained ACL tears during last weekend’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Buffalo running back Ty Johnson (ankle) also is ailing and is listed as questionable.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) catches a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Commanders’ Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel to play Monday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Washington Commanders receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel will both play Monday night at Kansas City, coach Dan Quinn confirmed Saturday.

Samuel missed last weekend’s loss at Dallas with a heel injury, while McLaurin has not played since Week 3 due to a quad injury.

The two playmakers are back, although the Commanders (3-4) will be without quarterback Jayden Daniels (hamstring) for the prime-time clash with the Chiefs (4-3). Marcus Mariota will make his third start of the season under center.

McLaurin, 30, has 10 catches for 129 yards and no touchdowns in three starts this season. The two-time Pro Bowl selection topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of the previous five campaigns for Washington.

Samuel, 29, has 34 receptions for 315 yards and three touchdowns and has also rushed for a score in six games (two starts) in his first season with the Commanders.

Defensive tackle Daron Payne (toe) is questionable for the Commanders. He has 26 tackles and one sack.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) runs the ball during the second half as Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) defends at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin ‘trending’ toward playing vs. Cowboys

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin was on the practice field for the first time since suffering a quadriceps injury in Washington’s win over the Raiders on Sept. 21.

McLaurin missed training camp in a contract holdout and has 10 receptions, third on the team behind Deebo Samuel (34) and tight end Zach Ertz (20), entering Sunday’s road game against the Dallas Cowboys.

“I think he would come back and contribute in the way that he does,” quarterback Jayden Daniels said. “Obviously we get him back, would be good for us offensively.”

McLaurin had five receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown in his only game against the Cowboys last season, but Dallas has undergone massive changes with a new head coach (Brian Schottenheimer), defensive coordinator (Matt Eberflus) and traded top defensive player Micah Parsons to the Packers in August.

Washington coach Dan Quinn said McLaurin is “trending the right way” toward playing this week.

Samuel was active Monday in a loss to the Chicago Bears despite a heel injury but caught only four passes for 15 yards. The Commanders placed wide receiver Noah Brown on injured reserve with a groin injury because Quinn said it “didn’t respond” after being given several weeks to rehab the injury.

Daniels said “it’s been tough” with multiple wide receiver injuries. He credits Luke McCaffrey for making the most of his opportunities. He’s averaging a team-high 22.4 yards on eight receptions with three touchdowns.

“He probably has the two most wide-open touchdowns I’ve ever seen, so salute to Luke,” Daniels said. “Every time we need a big play to be made, Luke’s stepping up making that play.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Deon Cain (14) warms up before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Injuries strike Bills WR corps, prompt deal with Deon Cain

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At least four wide receivers are unavailable for the Buffalo Bills’ first padded practice of training camp on Monday, head coach Sean McDermott said.

The Bills brought back veteran wide receiver Deon Cain on a one-year deal with nearly half of their receivers — Tyrell Shavers, Curtis Samuel, Elijah Moore, Kaden Prather — and top two tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox unavailable to practice because of injuries.

“It’s not ideal, especially with the names that are on there,” McDermott said. “So, you’re trying to move the team forward and develop, but it also allows an opportunity for us to see somebody step in and do the job. So, that’s just the nature of having the injuries that we do.”

Tests alleviated concern Shavers suffered a serious ankle injury in Sunday’s practice. McDermott said Buffalo was relieved and “it looks like we’re in decent shape” to get him back in the mix soon.

Kincaid has been battling chronic knee soreness and came out of Sunday’s practice hobbled.

A sixth-round pick of the Colts out of Clemson in 2018, Cain played for the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL and earned MVP in the 2023 USFL Championship game with three touchdowns.

He was with the Bills in training camp last summer and had three catches for 28 yards in preseason games.

Cain has also played for the Eagles, Ravens and Steelers.

–Field Level Media

Bills Curstis Samuel runs with the ball and tries to shake off a Jaguars defensive player during first half action at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Sept. 23, 2024.

Bills rule out WR Curtis Samuel, LB Terrel Bernard vs. Seahawks

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The Buffalo Bills have ruled out wide receiver Curtis Samuel, linebacker Terrel Bernard and rookie defensive tackle DeWayne Carter for Sunday’s road game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Samuel (pectoral) and Bernard (ankle) did not practice Wednesday and Thursday, while Carter (wrist) was limited both days.

“We were trying to see how (Carter) was able to deal with things,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said Friday. “He’s going to end up having to get surgery, so he’s going to be out multiple weeks.”

McDermott said there’s “a good chance” that Carter ends up on injured reserve, but the Bills “don’t know if we’re there yet.”

The coach didn’t think Samuel would be placed on IR. “It may be more than one week,” McDermott said. “We’re just taking it one week at a time.”

The Bills are 5-2, and the Seahawks are 4-3.

Samuel, 28, has played as a reserve in seven games and has 12 receptions on 18 targets for 92 yards in his first season with Buffalo.

He has 329 career receptions for 3,475 yards and 22 touchdowns in 98 games (58 starts) for Carolina (2017-20), Washington (2021-23) and Buffalo. The Panthers selected Samuel in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.

Bernard, 25, has played five games (all starts) this season and has 32 tackles, three tackles for loss and one interception. The Bills picked him in the third round of the 2022 draft out of Baylor. He has 197 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries.

Carter, 23, was a third-round selection in the 2024 draft out of Duke. He has started two of seven games and has nine tackles, including three for loss, and two QB hits.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) lays on the ground after suffering an injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

49ers lose WRs Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel during loss to Chiefs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers lost standout receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel during Sunday’s 28-18 loss to the visiting Kansas City Chiefs.

Aiyuk was carted off with a right knee injury in the final minute of the first half. Samuel played briefly early in the game before exiting with an illness.

The 49ers also were without receiver Jauan Jennings, who didn’t practice all week and missed the game with a hip injury.

Aiyuk had two receptions for 23 yards before departing. He was injured when he caught a 15-yard pass and was hit by two Kansas City defenders, with the blow from Chamarri Conner causing Aiyuk’s right leg to bend backward.

Samuel was seen receiving oxygen on the bench in the first quarter. He didn’t touch the ball before departing. It marked his second missed game of the season.

Jennings leads San Francisco with 404 receiving yards. He also has 25 receptions and three touchdowns.

Aiyuk had 25 catches for 374 yards through Sunday’s game and hasn’t caught a touchdown pass. He staged an offseason holdout before accepting a four-year, $120 million contract extension in late August.

Samuel has 20 catches for 335 yards and one touchdown and also has 51 rushing yards and another score on the ground.

Rookie Ricky Pearsall was active for the first time after being placed on the 53-man roster on Saturday and made his first career catch. Pearsall, who was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt in San Francisco on Aug. 31, finished with three receptions for 21 yards.

–Field Level Media

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs with the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs LVIII between Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Bills, Patriots bidding on 49ers WR Deebo Samuel

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Trade offers for wide receiver Deebo Samuel could fetch the San Francisco 49ers a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, according to multiple reports.

The two teams at the center of the bidding prior to the start of the second round of the 2024 draft on Friday were AFC East rivals Buffalo and New England, NFL Network and The Athletic reported.

NFL Network reported the Patriots and 49ers engaged in conversations around Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk during the NFL Scouting Combine, but compensation was a sticking point.

The Bills traded No. 1 wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans earlier this month and traded back twice on Thursday. Buffalo holds the No. 33 pick in the draft Friday.

49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday that he “wouldn’t anticipate” a scenario in which the team would trade Aiyuk, who is looking for a long-term deal from San Francisco.

Whether Samuel could be available after Lynch used the 49ers’ first-round selection on Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall — a former Aiyuk teammate in 2019 before transferring to the Gators from Arizona State.

Lynch called Samuel “a part of this team, and a big part of this team” on Thursday night after the pick. Head coach Kyle Shanahan went further, saying trade talks took place when teams called but trading a wide receiver “doesn’t seem that likely to be honest. But I’m still on the table. If someone offered [owner] Jed [York] and John good stuff for me, I’m going to be out of here.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) misses a pass in the end zone against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson among stars of Netflix’s ‘Receiver’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson and three other big-name pass catchers are starring in Netflix’s docuseries called “Receiver,” the streaming service announced Tuesday.

The star wideouts of the Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings, respectively, will be joined by the San Francisco 49ers duo of Deebo Samuel and George Kittle as well as Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

The eight-episode series is scheduled to start in the summer.

“Receiver” is a continuation of Netflix’s relationship with the NFL that first began with “Quarterback” in 2023. The production is a joint endeavor with NFL Films, Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions and Patrick Mahomes’ 2PM Productions.

“The natural progression is from a pass to a catch, so we’re excited to dive into the ‘Receiver’ world after the success of our ‘Quarterback’ series,” Netflix executive Gabe Spitzer said. “NFL Films, Omaha Productions and 2PM Productions have delivered again in finding unique and dynamic athletes who will further highlight the drama of this sport on and off the field.”

Manning said he was “excited” to give fans a closer look at some of the best receivers in the NFL.

“As we did with ‘Quarterback,’ we look forward to telling the stories of five incredible receivers, each with their unique personality, skillset and motivation for what drives them to be the best.”

–Field Level Media

September 21, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) carries the football during the second quarter against the New York Giants at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) set to return for 49ers vs. Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco receiver Deebo Samuel is slated to be back on the field when the 49ers visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Samuel missed the past three games due to a hairline fracture in his shoulder. He practiced in full all week and was not given an injury status on Friday.

The 49ers (5-3) lost all three games without their versatile star and scored just 17 points in each of them.

“Anytime you’re not part of the game, it’s kind of hard but I have kind of been there before,” Samuel told reporters. “It’s just another game, not trying to do nothing crazy, just go out there and do what I do.”

Samuel has caught 20 passes for 302 yards and one touchdown in six games this season. He also had rushed for 95 yards and one score on 18 carries.

The fifth-year pro’s best season was in 2021 when he established career bests of 77 receptions for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 365 yards and eight scores. He was a Pro Bowl selection that season.

Star left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) is questionable after being a limited practice participant the past two days.

Williams, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection, has missed the past two games.

“I think he’s real questionable to be plain,” San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said. “That’s what my eyes see too. We have tomorrow too, tomorrow is Saturday. If it’s not tomorrow, we’ll wait until game time.”

Nose tackle Javon Hargrave (knee) is questionable after he felt soreness during the week.

Defensive end Drake Jackson (knee) and guard Aaron Banks (toe) were ruled out for the 49ers.

As for the Jaguars, receiver Zay Jones (knee) will miss his fourth straight game.

Among the players listed questionable are safety Andre Cisco (hamstring) and cornerback Tyson Campbell (hamstring).

–Field Level Media

Oct 15, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs from Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Injured 49ers McCaffrey, Samuel, Williams all could play on MNF

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Christian McCaffrey’s oblique/rib injury is not considered serious, giving the San Francisco 49ers’ star running back a chance to play on “Monday Night Football” next week at the Minnesota Vikings, ESPN reported Tuesday.

McCaffrey joins wide receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Trent Williams as injured 49ers players who may be back sooner than expected.

NBC Sports Bay Area reported that McCaffrey’s injury has to do with pain tolerance more than anything else, leaving open the possibility that he, Samuel and Williams don’t miss any time for San Francisco (5-1).

McCaffrey, Samuel (shoulder) and Williams (ankle) all came away with injuries in Sunday’s 19-17 road loss to the Cleveland Browns — San Francisco’s first defeat of the season.

Williams’ ankle injury is not a high ankle sprain, coach Kyle Shanahan said. Samuel was hit on the shoulder while running a jet sweep on the Niners’ first play from scrimmage.

As of Monday, the 49ers had been waiting for more imaging to come back on McCaffrey before determining a course of action.

McCaffrey leads the NFL in rushing with 553 yards despite being held to 43 yards on 11 carries before exiting the Browns game. He also has nine touchdowns (seven rushing, two receiving) through six games.

–Field Level Media