DeeboSamuel Sr.

News: 16 hours agoSamuel didn't play in Thursday's preseason victory against Las Vegas.

Spin: The 49ers rested most of their projected regular-season starters, so Samuel's absence was expected. The veteran wideout saw action in one exhibition contest, catching one of two targets for four yards. Samuel should have a key role in San Francisco's passing game with Ricky Pearsall (knee) out for the season, and he gives QB Brock Purdy some familiarity amongst a WR corps that features numerous newcomers, including Mike Evans (groin), rookie De'Zhaun Stribling (shoulder) and Christian Kirk (calf).

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Samuel reunited with the 49ers in July after solid yet unspectacular lone season in Washington. The former second-round pick cleared 85 touches and 800 scrimmage yards for the fifth consecutive season and finished 25th among receivers in fantasy points -- his third-career top-30 fantasy campaign. Samuel's role as a short-area target and occasional rusher gets the ball in his hands plenty (he's ranked in the top 15 among WRs in touches and RAC five years in a row), but it doesn't allow him much scoring upside (10 TDs over the last two years, and he's never cleared five end zone targets in one season). Now 30 years old, Samuel figures to resume his role as a short-area playmaker in Kyle Shanahan's highly-efficient offense. He's a fine late-round flier with WR3/flex upside.