We know about Deebo Samuel’s exploits as a dual-threat receiver and running back. On Sunday, Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers tried to show off Samuel’s arm on a trick play but it didn’t work.
With about 10 minutes left in the second quarter, Samuel caught a lateral pass from Jimmy Garoppolo on the right side behind the line of scrimmage. He clutched the ball and pretended to run to the sideline before ultimately heaving one to Brandon Aiyuk in the endzone, but it was broken up for an incompletion.
Shanahan couldn’t help but smile when discussing the play during his press conference Tuesday in Santa Clara.
“It wasn’t horrible but it wasn’t very good, either,” Shanahan said. “Deebo can do anything he works at. I’m sure one day he’ll get his opportunity.”
Samuel may have 61 catches, 1,088 yards, 269 rush yards and 12 total touchdowns but his career passing percentage is sitting on 0.0 after his 0-for-1 Sunday. But as Shanahan noted, fellow receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings also had opportunities to throw the ball this year but it didn’t work out. At least Samuel got his throw off.
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“None of ‘em have done great on ‘em so far,” Shanahan said. “None of ‘em were great looks, either. We’ll keep trying to work at that. [Mohamed] Sanu has the best track record. He’s been doing it for a long time.”
Sanu sure does have bragging rights when it comes to his throwing resume. The veteran, who is currently on injured reserve with a knee injury, is 7-for-8 for 233 yards and four touchdowns in his career. That’s good for a perfect 158.3 quarterback rating, so Sanu might be Shanahan’s best wideout option to throw for a trick touchdown if/when he returns.
