SANTA CLARA – Deebo Samuel is back on the Levi’s Stadium field, slated to play in the 49ers’ game tonight against the Cowboys.
Breathing difficulties quickly sidelined Samuel in last Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs. Samuel subsequently spent two nights in a hospital for pneumonia-like symptoms that, according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, came from inhaling dust via an electrical fan. Samuel was limited Thursday and Friday to warrant a questionable status for this game.
Also questionable but playing is tight end George Kittle, who will play through a foot sprain in customized cleats recognizing his stature as a founding father of National Tight Ends Day. Kittle scored three touchdowns last October in the 49ers’ 42-10 rout of the Cowboys.
Also questionable were safety George Odum (knee) and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (illness).
Out for the 49ers are wide receiver Jauan Jennings (hip), defensive tackle Kevin Givens (groin) and kicker Jake Moody (ankle). Also inactive are emergency quarterback Joshua Dobbs, linebacker Jalen Graham, cornerback Rock Ya-Sin and offensive lineman Ben Bartch.
Among those out for the Cowboys are defensive end Micah Parsons, cornerback Daron Blend and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips.
RECEIVING CREW
Brock Purdy may have Samuel and Kittle to target but unavailable are wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Jennings. Aiyuk is on injured reserve due to last Sunday’s season-ending knee injury (torn ACL and MCL in his right knee). Jennings is out a second straight game with a hip issue he’s expected to return from after next week’s bye.
Other wide receivers available: Ricky Pearsall, Chris Conley, Jacob Cowing and Ronnie Bell. That group, along with Samuel, have combined for one touchdown (by Samuel) and 28 catches and 432 yards; Purdy has thrown nine touchdown passes among 138 completions (1,841 yards).
FAMILIAR FACE REFFING
Longtime referee Bill Vinovich is working tonight’s 49ers-Cowboys game, as he did the 2022 season’s divisional playoff the Niners won. And … he was the ref for their two Super Bowl losses to the Chiefs as well as last Christmas’ loss to the Ravens.
PICTURESQUE INTRO
NBC Sports’ “Sunday Night Football” intro is delivered by Walter Iooss Jr., a longtime photographer who took an iconic shot of “The Catch” in which Dwight Clark’s touchdown reception propelled the 1981 49ers to their NFC Championship Game win over Dallas. “I was focused on Joe Montana with a telephoto lens (from the end zone), but when he released the ball towards me, I took the other camera around mY neck with the 50-millimeter and just started shooting. And ‘The Catch’ was born,” Iooss says. “Every time the Cowboys and Niners play, of course, I think of that game, that photo.
“These teams now are teetering on the edge, desperate to show they still belong in the conversation. Hey, you never know, maybe we’ll get another glimpse at perfection on Sunday night.”
T.O. 2.0 HONORED
Rookie wide receiver Terique Owens won scout-team player of the week honors this week, helping the 49ers prepare for one of his father Terrell’s former teams. When the elder Owens famously celebrated two touchdowns …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Sports
