49ers Deebo Samuel won’t hold out, learning curve awaits

SANTA CLARA – Deebo Samuel, now that he’s reportedly agreed to contract terms, is on his way to catching presumably hundreds of passes for the 49ers. When training camp starts Friday, however, he’s got a lot of catching up to do.

Samuel missed the final couple weeks of the offseason program with a minor hip issue.

Then, before he flew Thursday from North Carolina to the Bay, he missed out on Jimmy Garoppolo’s informal passing sessions with the 49ers incumbent wide receivers at San Jose State in recent days.

Catching up should not necessarily be a problem for Samuel, a second-round pick who oozes physicality and hustle. The ensuing month offers another enough routes and time to mesh with the 49ers system.

Samuel is slotted to earn $7.7 million with $3.6 million as a signing bonus, according to spotrac.com. NFL Network first reported Thursday of an agreed upon deal, and the 49ers have yet to confirm it as official.

Will he become the starting flanker? Are 80 receptions, or, heck, 40 catches far too much to ask?

It’s all to be determined, including Samuel’s ability to pick up Kyle Shanahan scheme that confounds elite defenses and surely neophyte receivers.

Samuel figures to play a prominent role in a receiving corps that will feature competition with Dante Pettis, Marquise Goodwin, Jordan Matthews, Kendrick Bourne, Trent Taylor and Richie James Jr.

Pettis had only 27 receptions (467 yards, 5 touchdowns) last year as a rookie who battled injuries. Pettis should double those totals this year if he locks down the starting job at split end.

Trent Taylor had 43 receptions (430 yards, 2 TDs) as a rookie specializing in the slot in 2017.