49ers' Deebo Samuel brings the fireworks with a 42-yard TD

ByNick Wagoner ESPN logo
Monday, November 25, 2019

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- With the San Francisco 49ers' offense seeking a spark Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers, they turned to the same guy who has been providing it for the past two weeks in the absence of tight end George Kittle.

Even with Kittle back in the lineup, Niners rookie receiver Deebo Samuel, who had the second-most receiving yards in the league over the past two weeks, didn't stop providing fireworks.

Moments after Packers safety Darnell Savage departed because of an injury, the 49ers attacked his replacement. On second-and-6 at Green Bay's 42, San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo fired a dart over the middle to a streaking Samuel, who caught it in stride at the 29 and outran the rest of Green Bay's defenders for a touchdown and a 20-0 Niners lead.Samuel, according to NFL Next Gen Stats data, hit 21 mph on the play, marking the fastest max speed of the game through the first half.

It was Samuel's second career touchdown reception, third overall and another sign he is just fine after he was on the injury report this week because of a shoulder issue.