Yes, Deebo Samuel will absolutely play for the 49ers this season. He signed a one-year deal (up to $7M) with San Francisco on July 31, 2026, after the Commanders declined to re-sign him (from the Deebo Samuel page).
The reunion was triggered by Ricky Pearsall's PCL injury concern — with Pearsall's knee swelling up in early camp and no timeline for return, the 49ers needed veteran depth. Deebo already knows Kyle Shanahan's system inside-out from his 2019–2024 stint, so he can contribute immediately without a learning curve.
His expected role: WR3/flex behind Mike Evans, with a path to more work if Pearsall misses regular-season time. He's listed as healthy entering camp.
On Fantasy Football Today, they noted Deebo Samuel as one of the "three risers" in ADP after the signing — the quick return to a familiar offense boosts his fantasy floor compared to landing in a new system .
Bottom line: He's on the 49ers roster and healthy. The only questions are about target volume — whether he's a boom-or-bust flex or a weekly starter depends on Pearsall's recovery timeline.