San Francisco 49ers stun fans by bringing back Deebo Samuel as Brandon Aiyuk remains AWOL

Deebo Samuel is returning to the Bay.

As a San Francisco 49ers spokesman confirmed to The Daily Mail late Thursday, the 30-year-old wide receiver has agreed to re-join the team following his one-year stint with the Washington Commanders.

Details of the deal were not immediately available, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting the agreement is for one year and up to $7 million. The Daily Mail has sought comment from Samuel’s agents.

Samuel’s return comes as the 49ers face an impasse with disgruntled receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who remains absent from training camp after demanding a trade, and a potential season-ending knee surgery for third-year wideout Ricky Pearsall. 

Although he’s no longer the player that recorded 1,770 total yards and 14 touchdowns in 2021, when he was named an All-Pro, Samuel remained productive after going to Washington for a fifth-round pick last season. In 16 games with the Commanders, the versatile and rugged receiver had 727 yards and five touchdowns on 72 receptions.

It should be interesting to see if Samuel becomes a threat out of the backfield again in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Between 2021 and 2024, he ran the ball 180 times for the 49ers, racking up 958 yards and 17 touchdowns. 

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