Samuel (heel) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Bears, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
Samuel managed just one limited practice Friday during Week 6 prep as he tends to a bruised heel, but he has a chance to play Monday, unlike fellow WRs Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin/knee), both of whom have been ruled out. Coach Dan Quinn told Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post on Saturday that the Commanders will "take it into Monday" regarding Samuel's availability, but ultimately his status may not be confirmed until about 90 minutes before an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Looking like game-time decision
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Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Saturday that the team will "take it into Monday" regarding the availability of Samuel (heel) versus the Bears, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Samuel played through his bruised heel last week and has been practicing in a limited capacity, and it appears as though he'll be officially listed as questionable with the release of Saturday's injury report, but that his status won't be made official until Monday. At the latest, fantasy managers will gain clarity at least 90 minutes prior to Monday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff against Chicago. With Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) both already ruled out for Monday Night Football, the state of Washington's passing game will largely rest on Samuel's availability. Behind him on the depth chart are wideouts Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane and Chris Moore, as well as practice-squad man Tay Martin.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Listed as limited
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Samuel (heel) is listed as a limited participant on Friday's practice report.
The Commanders didn't actually practice Friday but estimate that Samuel would've participated if they had. He played through the same injury last week, catching eight of 11 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in a game where no other Commander got more than two targets. Samuel likely will play again Monday against the Bears.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Leading receiver with TD
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Samuel finished with eight receptions on 11 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Chargers.
Samuel overcame a heel injury during the practice week to lead a shorthanded Washington receiver room Sunday. The star acquisition led his new club in targets, receptions and receiving yards while catching QB Jayden Daniels' only passing touchdown of the contest. The 29-year-old has turned back the clock in 2025, generating 346 yards of offense and four total touchdowns through five games. Even if No. 1 wideout Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) returns against the Bears next Monday, Samuel's consistent production makes him a must-start asset in fantasy for Week 6.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Cleared after full practice
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Samuel (heel) practiced fully Friday and doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at the Chargers.
The Commanders' top three wide receivers didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday due to various injuries, but only Samuel made the trip from Washington to Los Angeles, as Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) were ruled out for Week 5 action. Samuel proceeded to manage all on-field work Friday, paving the way for him to serve as Jayden Daniels' top WR on Sunday in the quarterback's return from a two-game absence. Samuel thus figures to be a significant part of the game plan, not only as a pass catcher but as a threat out of the backfield.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Back at practice
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Samuel (heel) returned to practice Friday, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.
Samuel was one of three Commanders wide receivers -- also, Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) -- to miss practice Wednesday and Thursday, but the former was the only one to make the trip with the team to Los Angeles ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers. First, Samuel was seen doing some extra stretching Friday before catching passes from WRs coach Bobby Ingram. After that, Samuel took part in individual drills, indicating that he'll be at least a limited participant to cap Week 5 prep. Washington's final injury report of the week will reveal Samuel's odds to suit up this weekend.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Back practicing Thursday
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Samuel (heel) was spotted on the field during the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.
The Commanders listed Samuel as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice due to a heel injury, but he appears poised to upgrade to at least limited activity Thursday. Samuel accounted for 81 total yards and a touchdown on nine touches (six catches, three carries) in the Commanders' Week 4 loss to the Falcons, but he could see a slight downturn in his usage in Sunday's game against the Chargers if Washington gets Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) back in action.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: DNP due to heel injury
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Samuel didn't practice Wednesday due to a heel injury.
With Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) inactive this past Sunday in Atlanta, Samuel hauled in all six targets for 72 yards and one touchdown and added three carries for nine yards on an 86 percent snap share. As the Commanders kick off Week 5 prep, though, Samuel has joined McLaurin and Brown as non-participants, leaving the top of the team's receiving corps in flux ahead of Sunday's contest at the Chargers.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: WRs to Start
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We'll see if Jayden Daniels (knee) can play in Week 3 against the Raiders, but I like Samuel as a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues even if Marcus Mariota starts. Samuel has stepped up as the No. 1 receiver for the Commanders with 14 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown on 18 targets against the Giants and Packers, and he also has a rushing touchdown. Terry McLaurin will eventually start to be more productive, but I would only use him in three-receiver leagues against the Raiders, even though this is a favorable matchup. Three receivers have already scored at least 15.9 PPR points against Las Vegas this season, and hopefully Samuel will stay hot in Week 3.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Scores late TD in loss
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Samuel secured seven of eight targets for 44 yards and a touchdown and returned two kickoffs for 78 yards in the Commanders' 27-18 loss to the Packers on Thursday night.
The Commanders' air attack was mostly stuck in neutral for a significant portion of the night, but Samuel was able to offer some solace to fantasy managers by recording 12- and 10-yard grabs on Washington's final scoring drive. The latter play also resulted in Samuel's second touchdown in as many games in a Commanders uniform, and he's now encouragingly logged 18 targets through his first two games with Jayden Daniels. Samuel next takes aim at the Raiders defense in a Week 3 home matchup on Sunday, Sept. 21.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Leading receiver in team debut
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Samuel caught seven of 10 targets for 77 yards while scoring a 19-yard touchdown on his only rushing attempt in Sunday's 21-6 win over the Giants.
Samuel gave the Commanders some breathing room with a 19-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to extend Washington's lead to 21-6. He also led the team in targets, catches and receiving yards, while no teammate had more than five targets, three catches or 34 receiving yards. Samuel's set to be a key playmaker for the Commanders after coming over from San Francisco in an offseason trade. Up next for Samuel is a Week 2 trip to Green Bay on Thursday.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Sleeper WRs
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We'll see how Terry McLaurin does in Week 1 after being out for most of the preseason while dealing with his contract. All that missed practice time for McLaurin allowed Samuel to develop a solid rapport with Jayden Daniels, and hopefully, that will be evident in this game against the Giants. Samuel should be started in all three-receiver leagues, and he's not a bad option in two-receiver leagues as well. I also wouldn't be shocked if Samuel is better than McLaurin in this game.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Gains 19 yards on first drive
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Samuel took one carry for 19 yards in Monday's preseason game against the Bengals.
Samuel got the ball on the first snap of Washington's four-play, 74-yard TD drive -- after which Samuel, Jayden Daniels and some other starters didn't play. With Terry McLaurin (contract) still unavailable, Samuel has been Daniels' top target throughout training camp, portending a featured role in Washington's Week 1 game plan against the Giants.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Suiting up Monday
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Samuel will suit up for the Commanders in Monday's preseason game against the Bengals, Zach Selby of the team's official site reports.
He'll see his first action in a Washington uniform following his trade from San Francisco back on March 1. With wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown not playing Monday, Samuel will act as Jayden Daniels' top target for as long as the quarterback is on the field. Samuel has developed a nice rapport with Daniels during training camp, and this will mark their first opportunity to show it off in an actual game setting.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Back at practice
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Samuel (hand) returned to practice Monday, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.
He hurt his hand/finger Saturday while diving for a catch at practice. The quick return to training camp confirms it's nothing serious, giving Samuel plenty of chances to continue building chemistry with QB Jayden Daniels while No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin remains away from the team. McLaurin has requested a trade, but the Commanders reportedly aren't considering it and prefer to continue extension negotiations instead.
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Commanders' Deebo Samuel: Moving all around the formation
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Samuel's alignments on offense have been varied during training camp, and he's also been getting work on kickoff returns, ESPN.com's John Keim reports.
With Terry McLaurin (ankle / contract) still not practicing, Samuel seems to be the top weapon for QB Jayden Daniels. Washington beat reporters have repeatedly mentioned Samuel being on the receiving end of Daniels' passes, although Keim notes that the Commanders' cornerbacks have more than held their own, often preventing the wideout from creating separation. That's an area where Samuel struggled with the 49ers last year, but he's reportedly rejuvenated with his new team ahead of his age-29 season. Even if separation remains a weak point, the Commanders should be able to figure out a role that works more to Samuel's strengths and emphasizes his tenacity with the ball in his hands.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Washington and Houston intrigued
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The Commanders and Texans are among the top teams that have expressed interest in acquiring Samuel, whose trade request San Francisco general manager John Lynch said the team plans to honor, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Schultz reports the Steelers and Broncos are among other teams that have inquired about trading for Samuel, but he notes Washington and Houston have been the strongest suitors to this point. The Commanders seem committed to adding another playmaker for Jayden Daniels, who earned 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors despite Terry McLaurin being his only pass catcher to even approach the 1,000-yard mark. Houston, meanwhile, faces a similar conundrum, needing to surround C.J. Stroud with new offensive talent, as Stefon Diggs (knee - ACL) seems likely to move on, and Tank Dell (knee - ACL + MCL) is in danger of potentially missing a significant amount of the 2025 campaign. Samuel admittedly struggled to impress in 2024, finishing with a mere 51 catches (81 targets) for 670 yards and three touchdowns across 15 appearances, plus 42 carries for 136 yards and one score on a career-low 3.2 YPC. However, he boasts a uniquely versatile skill set and could yet rebound in greener pastures.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Expected to be traded
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San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Wednesday that the team plans to honor Samuel's request for a trade, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports. "He's asked for a fresh start, and I think we're going to honor that," Lynch said. "He is a great player; I think often one of my favorite draft picks of my time. He makes plays and he makes game-changing plays. Everything is good...But it probably makes sense [to trade him]. We're having conversations so we'll see where that goes."
Samuel is entering the final year of his contract and carries a $15.9 million cap number. He looked sluggish at times in 2024, finishing the season with just 51 catches for 670 yards and three touchdowns. His 9.1 rushing yards per game were also Samuel's fewest since an injury-shortened 2020 season. Given his pricey contract along with the fact that he turned 29 years old in January and is coming off an underwhelming season, Samuel is unlikely to fetch much more than a mid-round draft pick in any trade.
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Gets permission to seek trade
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The 49ers have granted Samuel (ribs) and his agent permission to find a trade partner, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Samuel requested a trade during his exit meeting with the team following the conclusion of the regular season, and San Francisco appears willing to comply with the request. After recording a career-best 77 catches for 1,405 yards with 365 rushing yards over 16 regular-season games in 2021, Samuel has struggled to replicate that production, with his best campaign in the three years since being 2023, when he posted a modest 892 yards on 60 receptions along with 225 rushing yards in 15 regular-season contests. The versatile wideout's ability to work as a ball carrier out of the backfield and to return kicks no doubt adds to his appeal, but Samuel also has dealt with various injuries in recent campaigns, and he's played in 43 of a possible 51 regular-season contests since 2021. Samuel appears to be ready to move on from the 49ers, saying, "It was a hard conversation to have with Kyle (Shanahan) because of the relationship that we have. ... But I have to do what's best. I'm more than thankful for the Niners giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, but now I think it's best that we find another team."
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49ers' Deebo Samuel: Ruled out for Week 18
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Samuel (ribs/wrist) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Samuel might've tried to play through his rib and wrist injuries if the 49ers were in playoff contention. As is, he didn't practice this week and won't play in Sunday's game, which could free up more playing time for Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing and Chris Conley behind de facto No. 1 receiver Jauan Jennings. There's no doubt Samuel will be mentioned in trade rumors yet again this offseason, as he has just one year remaining on his contract and is coming off a disappointing campaign for a team that also has Pearsall, Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) at wide receiver. There's been no indication that the rib or wrist injuries will impact Samuel's preparation for 2025.
