49ers WR Deebo Samuel to return; Trent Williams 'real questionable' - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers will welcome back at least one of their two injured stars against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Niners receiver Deebo Samuel, who has missed most of the past three games with a shoulder hairline fracture, practiced in full every day this week and has no injury designation for Sunday.

And while Samuel will return, the Niners are hoping that left tackle Trent Williams (right ankle) will also be back, though his situation is far more tenuous. Williams returned to practice Thursday and Friday on a limited basis and is listed as questionable for Sunday.

«I think he's real questionable to be playing,» coach Kyle Shanahan said. «If it's no tomorrow then we'll wait until game time. Today was half speed [and he] wasn't able to do a lot yesterday and we want to know how he feels all the way going up to it.»

Samuel's return is much-needed for an offense that averaged more than 30 points per game the first five weeks (all wins) but has sagged to 17 points per game over the past three (all losses).

On the 56% of the offensive snaps the Niners have played with Samuel on the field, they have averaged 6.9 yards per play, with quarterback Brock Purdy throwing eight touchdowns and no interceptions for a QBR of 82. Without Samuel, those numbers drop to 5.4 yards per play, 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions for a QBR of 59.

«I think he complements everybody,» running back Christian McCaffrey said. «Just having him on the field, he's such a threat whenever he has the ball. He makes a play that looks like it's not going to work go. Just having that confidence that he's out there means a lot to all of us.»

For his part, Samuel said he felt fresh and could sense a boost in energy for the whole