In the middle of what was an overwhelmingly positive game, with the 49ers leading 21-0 in the first half, disaster appeared to strike.
With 5:10 left in the half, receiver Deebo Samuel took a carry up the middle on a carry for 3 yards. As he went down, Samuel’s left leg was caught underneath the back of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches and he fumbled the ball.
Tampa Bay recovered and Samuel stayed down on the ground for an extended period of time
Team doctors and trainers came out to attend to Samuel. After a few minutes, he got up initially, without putting any weight on his left leg, and appeared like he was going to hop off the field. But moments later, he went back to the ground, yelling in frustration before the team brought out the medical cart to take him into the locker room.
The team gathered around him to offer support before an emotional Samuel departed the field.
The 49ers officially declared it left knee injury for Samuel and say he’s questionable to return, though that seems exceedingly unlikely.