Jerry Rice and NFL fans were livid with Kyle Shanahan’s reckless play-calling after Deebo Samuel’s injury

Entering Brock Purdy’s first career NFL start after Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury, the San Francisco 49ers undoubtedly wanted to make a statement on Sunday. With Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers coming to town, the 49ers were in an excellent spot to pad their NFC West lead and start to work out some kinks before the playoffs begin.

For the most part, they accomplished their goal. Seemingly before you could even blink, the 49ers bullied the Buccaneers and held a 21-0 lead just about halfway through the second quarter. Admittedly, it would’ve been a little early for San Francisco to call off the dogs, especially with a third-string quarterback playing. But they probably didn’t have to keep calling plays up the gut for Deebo Samuel with that big of a lead.

When Samuel — who is proficient as a runner — got injured on such a play/play call late in the first half, it appeared the 49ers could pay a considerable price with his potential absence as the postseason looms:

Oh, man. That doesn’t look good for Samuel, a First-Team All-Pro last year and someone who was having another terrific season in 2022.

On his Instagram, Jerry Rice — who keeps a close eye on the 49ers in retirement — wasn’t happy with Shanahan’s decision-making to keep running Samuel up the gut:

That is quite the concise criticism from an all-timer like Rice. And he might not be completely wrong.

With Samuel being the third major 49er to suffer a potentially serious injury this season (after Garoppolo and Trey Lance), the other 49ers and the WR were understandably emotional as he was carted off after his injury:

Injuries are an almost inevitable part of such a dangerous game like football. But when superstars like Samuel get hurt with their contender team rolling to an already likely win, you can’t help but wonder if different play-calling might have led to better, healthier circumstances.

Hopefully, Samuel’s injury isn’t too severe and isn’t season-ending.

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