The Super Bowl LVIII runner-ups might be in trouble this year! The 49ers placed their running back, Christian McCaffrey, on injured reserve last Saturday afternoon due to calf and Achilles issues. And if you are wondering when he will return, the answer to this is “Nobody knows,” as per coach Kyle Shanahan. So, now that the 49ers were dealing with their star player’s injury struggle, another mishap has caused tension in the locker room.

According to the latest updates, the 49ers are down another offensive star, Deebo Samuel. On Monday, Samuel’s name was added to the injury list by Shanahan due to a calf strain, and it is now expected that he will be out for a couple of weeks. This injury has triggered a sense of déjà vu for Samuel and the team, as back in October 2023, the wide receiver was injured, leading to three consecutive losses for the 49ers. Now, with Samuel sidelined again, quarterback Brock Purdy faces a similar challenge.

Brock Purdy, who’s eyeing a hefty $50 million deal, is facing a high-stakes challenge. With both Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey sidelined, Purdy’s got to “lights out” to prove his worth. Sports commentator Kevin Harlan summed it up perfectly on 95.7 The Game: “QB’s who make $40-50M a year, that’s the way they got to play when they don’t have every part at their disposal…These next weeks are incredibly revealing.” 

Harlan believes this stretch will either cement Purdy’s place in NFL history or raise serious doubts. Without McCaffrey and Deebo, Purdy’s test is monumental. If he can lead the 49ers to success and keep the team above .500, it might just secure his place among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. So far, Brock Purdy’s record is 1-1 this season without McCaffrey. With no clear return date for McCaffrey, the 49ers are turning to Jordan Mason, Isaac Guerendo, and Patrick Taylor Jr. to fill the void.

As for Samuel, his past injuries led to a three-game losing streak, but the team bounced back and even reached the Super Bowl. Despite the current challenges, Purdy and the 49ers still have the potential to turn things around. In the meantime, with Samuel out, three players—and some exciting underdogs like Chris Conley, Jacob Cowing, and Ronnie Bell—have a golden chance to step up and shine.

Who could support Brock Purdy now?

With Deebo Samuel sidelined due to a calf injury from the Vikings game, the 49ers are facing a tough challenge. But for some players, this is a golden opportunity to step up. So, who might become the game-changer? Wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings are the obvious picks, likely to see more action from Brock Purdy in the upcoming games. However, don’t count out the underdogs. Veteran Chris Conley, rookie Jacob Cowing, and Ronnie Bell could also make a big impact.

Conley may not be a household name, but his strong connection with Purdy could earn him more snaps. Cowing, with his impressive 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Combine, has the speed to shake up defenses and could be a game-changer if given the chance.

Ronnie Bell, who struggled in the preseason, might also get a chance to redeem himself. With three touchdowns in his rookie season, he’s proven he’s capable when given the opportunity. While Christian McCaffrey and Samuel are out, the rest of the roster, including Purdy and coach Kyle Shanahan, will need to step up and secure more wins.