Frustrated 49ers WR Deebo Samuel stands behind social media post: 'You read what you read'

Deebo Samuel is frustrated with being frustrated and isn't going to apologize for it.

The 49ers receiver made some headlines on social media Monday, finding a way to summarize his struggles.

"Not struggling at all just not getting the ball," Samuel initially posted on X. The post was eventually deleted, with Samuel later adding a new one, "Just cause I voice my opinions don’t mean I’m hating on any of my teammates!!"

He stood behind those words when meeting with the media on Tuesday. Samuel was asked if he wanted to expand or clarify his statements, but the receiver went in a different direction.

"You read what you read," Samuel said. "A little frustrated for sure."

Frustration seems to be a common theme for a 49ers team that is coming off another Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs, their second in five seasons. Now sitting at 6-7 with injuries decimating the roster, San Francisco's playoff hopes are hanging on by a thread.

There hasn't been a lot that's gone right for the team this season, Samuel included. The receiver has taken a noticeable step back, despite Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk missing extended periods of time. Samuel hasn't posted more than 22 receiving yards in four straight games.

More importantly, the 28-year-old is averaging 46.1 receiving yards per game, a career-low, and hasn't been much of a factor in the rushing attack either, averaging 2.9 yards per carry, also a career-low. Samuel's drop-off in impact isn't exclusive to between the goal lines. He's scored only two touchdowns through 12 games, which would be his fewest since an injury-shortened 2020 season when he scored once.

Despite those startling realities, head coach Kyle Shanahan said he understands Samuel's frustration.

"I understand Deebo saying that," Shanahan said. "Deebo wants to help us out, and the only way he helps us out is getting the ball more. We'd like to get it to him more."

Shanahan did say he'd prefer to have those grievances kept in house, however.

"Is it a distraction in our building? No," Shanahan said. "My advice is to not let the outside frustrate you because just answering those things isn't going to help you in any way. It usually only hurts you. But as far as what we deal with and our relationships and our team, it's water under the bridge."

While Samuel's comments could ruffle some feathers in some cases, players that spoke to the media took the chance to defend him.

Tight end George Kittle said that he believes Samuel was very close to a big game against the Bears in Week 14 and should have a chance to do that on Thursday night.

"Deebo's very close to breaking it wide open," Kittle said. "I'm very excited for him this Thursday because I think he's going to have one of those amazing Deebo Thursday Night games, especially against the Rams."

The tight end added that he doesn't care if teammates want to voice their opinions on social media, pointing out that no one in the locker room will think differently of them.

It seems that San Francisco is going to give Samuel every chance to break out of his slump on Thursday night when the 49ers host the Rams. Now it's on Samuel to make the most of those opportunities.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deebo Samuel social media post: 49ers' WR stands behind frustration