49ers HC Kyle Shanahan makes feelings clear on Deebo Samuel after WR's lackluster showing

Deebo Samuel and the San Francisco 49ers have arguably been the most disappointing team this season. The reigning NFC champions are 6-8 and destined to miss the playoffs, an astonishing result, considering they were the preseason favorites to represent the conference in the Super Bowl.

The primary reason for their dismal campaign has been injuries to key players. However, some stars who have been available haven't been up to the mark either, like wide receiver Deebo Samuel. The veteran has caught only 43 passes on 71 targets for 569 receiving yards and only one touchdown pass.

Samuel has also not been a factor in the run game. He has 94 rushing yards on 34 carries, an average of a mere 2.8 yards per carry, the lowest of his career. While fans and analysts have heavily critiqued the wide receiver, coach Kyle Shanahan came to his defense during his media availability on Thursday.

When asked if Shanahan was past his prime, Shanahan responded:

“By no means do I think he’s lost it or anything. Then his looks haven’t been quite as good this year, just like for everybody.

"When the 10 guys around you aren’t doing quite as good, whether it’s him, whether it’s the quarterback, whether it’s O-Line, you’re not going to do as good as you did the year before.”

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Deebo Samuel's controversies off the field

Deebo Samuel's performances on the field have left a lot to be desired, but his shenanigans off it have also rubbed fans the wrong way.

In the 49ers' 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the wide receiver got into an altercation with long snapper Taybor Pepper and shoved him before accidentally punching kicker Jake Moody after a third missed field goal attempt.

Samuel caused a stir on social media with a perplexing response to a fan on social media who suggested that he was struggling to get open.

Samuel claimed that he wasn't and that his numbers were poor because quarterback Brock Purdy wasn't throwing the ball to him as often as he did in the past and the coaching staff wasn't calling plays designed for him.

However, Samuel was hit with a community note reminding him that he leads the team in drops. The wide receiver has had six this season. The note and the backlash for his insinuation prompted him to delete the post.

Despite Samuel playing poorly on the field and causing a stir off it, Shanahan has faith that he will bounce back.