Deebo Samuel marks 49ers return with a touchdown in Australia
San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. scored a touchdown in his first game back with the team against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, helping the 49ers build a big lead.
Return marked by a touchdown
San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. scored a touchdown in his first game back with the team, during the NFL's 2026 season-opening Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, played in Melbourne, Australia. With 12:57 left in the fourth quarter, quarterback Brock Purdy connected with Samuel on a 15-yard pass, capping a 99-yard drive, according to NFL.com. Eddy Pineiro's extra point pushed San Francisco's lead to 24-7, Niners Wire reported.
Back with his former team
Samuel played for the 49ers from 2019 through 2024 before being traded to the Washington Commanders in March 2025 for a fifth-round pick, at his own request. He spent one season in Washington, catching 72 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns. This offseason he re-signed with San Francisco on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million, stepping into a receiver room thinned by Ricky Pearsall's season-ending knee injury.
The 49ers drafted Samuel in the second round in 2019 out of South Carolina. Over his six seasons with the team, he developed into one of the league's most versatile weapons, earning All-Pro honors in 2021 with 1,405 receiving yards. In total during that span he recorded 334 catches for 4,792 yards and 22 receiving touchdowns, adding 1,143 rushing yards and 20 more scores on the ground. According to RotoBaller, he averaged 55.7 receptions and 798.7 receiving yards per season from 2019 to 2024.
Expectations for the new season
The Athletic's Matt Barrows, who observed training camp, said Samuel avoided injuries and looked faster than in his final season with the 49ers in 2024, when he totaled just 806 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns. Barrows stopped short of predicting a return to his 2021 form but said a season similar to 2023 — 1,117 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns — seemed realistic. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said the team plans to get Samuel plenty of touches, citing his ability to affect games in multiple ways.
On the depth chart, Samuel is listed as a starter opposite Mike Evans, competing for targets with rookie De'Zhaun Stribling and running back Christian McCaffrey. Ahead of the game, RotoBaller noted Samuel faced a tough matchup, including cornerback Trent McDuffie, who reportedly has contained him in past meetings.
