The San Francisco 49ers are entering a huge challenge in this week’s match with the Los Angeles Rams, with star wide receiver Deebo Samuel out. Losing Deebo Samuel is a big problem, not only to the general dynamics of the team, but this loss also puts a cramp on the activity of quarterback Brock Purdy. With Samuel out with a calf injury, the 49ers need to adjust quickly through Purdy, but history proves he can’t win without his favorite target. Let’s dissect how Samuel’s injury changes the game plan and impacts Purdy.
The Link Between Purdy and Deebo Samuel
The stats for Brock Purdy tell the tale: he is significantly more effective when Deebo Samuel is on the field. Purdy threw just nine interceptions in the 23 games they started together. That’s about one every two and a half games—a fabulous ratio for any quarterback. When Samuel sits, however, Purdy’s games tend to suffer. In the six games without Samuel, he has thrown seven interceptions. That’s nearly one per game. This would make us aware that Samuel not only assists Purdy in making wise decisions but can also be seen as a safety net during tough spots.
Playing the Rams this Sunday is coming at a very tough time for the 49ers. Along with Deebo Samuel, this will likely be without star running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle. The Rams have the worst defense in the NFL, but even for those strong-arm quarterbacks with usual play options for a lot of yardage after the catch, Purdy will miss those guys.
Pressuring Purdy’s Decision-Making
The burden will fall on Purdy’s shoulders without his top playmakers on offense. He must make more decisive and accurate throws than ever in an attempt to make up for the lack of confidence in replacing Deebo Samuel, as he did in games sans his teammate. Forced plays into spots where the ball does not belong could be a price of those turnovers. If the game plan calls for him to amplify the risks, he may have no idea what the results will be, and that can prove a bind for the 49ers.
Looking ahead, the 49ers may face more games without Samuel, McCaffrey, and Kittle once their salary management is secured in the future. Even Purdy could be one of the highest-paid quarterbacks at his position, and he needs to handle games without those superstars on the field. This is what Sunday’s game looks like a very important test of whether or not Purdy can deliver under the actual pressure of games with probably not having some superstars active for this game.
Conclusion
The injury of Deebo Samuel poses a much-needed test for Brock Purdy and the 49ers. The missing key players alter the dynamics of the game, thereby adding pressure for Purdy to do so. Of course, the worst for the Rams will be this game’s defense. The 49ers will have to be very innovative and find a way around this: How Purdy plays in such a situation defines his growth as a quarterback.
More than just win or lose, it tests the team’s resilience and ability to adapt moving forward. This would indeed be the moment when the fans would be watching closely to see how the 49ers could navigate this hurdle and what it would have in store for the coming future.
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