Don't look for Deebo Samuel to pull back out the "game-changer chain" he donned in the 49ers' last home win over the Rams, if Kyle Shanahan has anything to say about it.
SANTA CLARA — Deebo Samuel celebrated in gaudy style during the 49ers’ last home win over the Rams. Specifically, after his second touchdown of last October’s rout, remember him reaching the 49ers’ sideline and donning a fancy chain with a jewel-encrusted replica of a 49ers helmet?
The “game-changer chain” vanished quickly from the 49ers’ sideline rather than become a regular prize.
“I don’t know what happened to it. I guess we just stopped using it,” Samuel said ahead of this Monday night’s rematch between the 49ers (1-2) and Rams (2-1) at Levi’s Stadium.
Was the chain too college-like rah-rah, albeit a trophy against the Rams in last October’s 31-10, Monday Night Football rout? Was it so ostentatious that some players declined to wear it?
“I was not a big fan of the chain. Anything college-like is lame to me,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Saturday. “Jason Verrett got it and he’s as cool as guy I know, so the players thought it was cool, and I didn’t tell them ‘no’ or anything.
“I was hoping we didn’t use it in the wrong way. We’re more professional than that,” Shanahan added. “At the time he did choose it, I can’t lie, it didn’t come off that bad. I like their decision-making on that.”
The chain had a short shelf-life, as the 49ers’ ensuing win streak stopped at three games.
“I don’t know if it’s gone. I hope it is. I trust them to handle it right and they haven’t let me down so far.”
Newsflash: The chain is not lost nor stolen. Verrett said it’s safely stored in the 49ers’ equipment room, ready for a potential encore — but not likely in Monday’s game.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 16, 2021
Reminded about the chain, Jimmy Garoppolo replied: “I forgot about that. I just throw the ball, man.”
Despite suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 1, Verrett supplied the chain, which TMZ claimed last fall was worth “6 figures.” It reportedly weighed 6 1/2 pounds, was made of “real, pure silver dipped in electro-plated yellow gold” and decorated with “all-natural sapphires” during its 9-week build by Rafaello and Co. in New York.
“We’ll probably bring it back when he comes back,” Samuel said with a smile in regards to Verrett.
Verrett concurred that indeed could be the play, once he returns to action.
Verrett, because of last season’s knee injury in the opener, remains on the physically-unable-to-perform list and is eligible to debut next Sunday at Carolina, although the 49ers would have to open his three-week practice window first.
KINLAW ATOP INJURY REPORT
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw is questionable after his surgically repaired knee “flared up on him” and kept him from practicing Thursday and Friday. Kinlaw participated in Saturday’s walk-through, as did fellow defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who’s plantar fasciitis has him also questionable.
Offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill is cleared to make his season debut after a preseason hamstring injury. Wide receiver Danny Gray (hamstring) is doubtful.
Out, as expected, are left tackle Trent Williams, running back Ty Davis-Price, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, tight end Tyler Kroft and safety Tarvarius Moore. Tight end Ross Dwelley (ribs) is questionable.
RUNNING BACK WATCH
Jeff Wilson Jr. has been the 49ers’ primary running back since Elijah Mitchell’s knee sprain in the season opener, but the 49ers sound ready to spell him with veteran options Tevin Coleman (practice squad) and Marlon Mack, as well as Jordan Mason, who ran for seven yards last game in his first and only carry his rookie season. Ty Davis-Price (ankle) will miss a second straight game.
The 49ers have until Monday afternoon to promote Coleman, who was signed a week ago and started 11 games in their 2019 run to the Super Bowl.
“I think Tev’s ready to roll, man,” run-game coordinator Chris Foerster said, without affirming Coleman’s official status for Monday. “… Tev has that explosiveness to him that he can really hit it and go and really enjoy the way he can do that, so it’s good to have him back that way. He hit a play up the sideline the other day and you just saw the acceleration. It was nice to watch him accelerate up the side. He’s still got it.”
As for Mason, Foerster noted that the undrafted rookie remains a work in progress but “there’s nothing that says he’s not ready and he is been working hard and deserves the opportunities he’s getting.”
EXTRA POINTS
— The scout-team players of the week were tight end Troy Fumagalli and wide receiver Willie Snead IV.
— Shanahan called it “awesome” to have former running backs coach Bobby Turner rejoin the team this week. He had stated a desire to take a year sabbatical recovering from hip surgery. “It was weird not having him here,” Shanahan said. Anthony Lynn remains the 49ers’ current running backs coach.
