Deebo cleared for NFC championship vs. Lions

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel was a full participant at practice Friday and is cleared to face the Detroit Lions in Sunday's NFC title game, coach Kyle Shanahan announced.

"It's huge," Shanahan said of Samuel's return on Friday. "We were scared at the beginning of the week but ... full go today, no restrictions on him, that's definitely a good thing for us."

Samuel battled a shoulder injury this week and didn't practice Wednesday. He was a limited participant during Thursday's session.

The 49ers are trying to go back to the Super Bowl after falling short in the NFC title game in each of the past two seasons. Samuel, a former All-Pro receiver, was one of four San Francisco players who finished the 2023 regular season with 1,000-plus scrimmage yards.

Samuel caught 60 passes for 892 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games in 2023. He also rushed for 225 yards and five TDs. The 28-year-old had two receptions and 24 yards before exiting last week's win over the Green Bay Packers due to his shoulder injury.

Samuel said Friday that he originally thought he had fractured his shoulder but it ended up being a "deep bruise," according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic.

"I ain't protecting nothing," Samuel added. He also missed two games earlier this season due to a shoulder injury.

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