San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is firmly in Deebo Samuel’s corner even after the wide receiver took to social media to say he needs the ball more.
“Deebo and I talk all the time and he’s like one of my best friends on this team,” Purdy told reporters Tuesday. “I absolutely love Deebo and what he’s done for me and helping me out. We talk all the time and yeah, I think he’s right. He’s doing great right now with what we ask of him in the offense. And he’s not struggling or anything. It’s just like I said before about guys like Ricky or last year with Aiyuk for a little bit.
“There’s just moments I guess throughout seasons where guys just don’t get the ball, just depending on the scheme or what the defensive scheme is and them taking guys away. So I want to get Deebo the ball every play if I could. I want to have him break all the records as best as possible. I want Deebo to do Deebo things and we all do in this building. So it’s just how the games have gone. But I love my guy and I’m going to do everything I can to get him the ball.”
Samuel had two catches for 22 yards in Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears.
On Monday, he said “Not struggling at all just not getting the ball!!!” in a since-deleted social-media post.
He also explained he wasn’t calling out any of his teammates:
Deebo@19problemz
Just cause I voice my opinions don’t mean I’m hating on any of my teammates!! Be Fr
“You read what you read,” Samuel added on Tuesday while speaking with reporters. “[I’m] a little frustrated for sure.”
Samuel has struggled to make an impact of late with four consecutive games of 22 or fewer receiving yards. Yet, as Purdy explained, some of that has to do with the defense he is facing with far more focus on him with Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk sidelined with injuries.
The receiver can at least take solace knowing his quarterback still wants to get him the ball, which is notable ahead of a critical NFC West game against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday.
San Francisco is still two games behind the Washington Commanders for the final NFC wild-card spot and is also trailing the 7-6 Rams by a game. It likely needs to figure out a way to win Thursday’s contest if it is going to challenge for a postseason spot.
Perhaps that will mean getting the ball to Samuel even more.