49ers lose star WR Deebo Samuel to left knee injury

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel was taken off the field on a cart after injuring his left knee during a running play.

Samuel’s leg twisted as he fumbled for the ball during a carryover late in the second quarter of San Francisco’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Samuel lay down for a few minutes as the coaching staff tended to him before attempting to get up. He immediately returned to the ground and shouted a curse in frustration.

Almost the entire 49ers team came out onto the field to wish Samuel luck before he was whisked away on a cart with his face in his hands.

It’s the second straight week the Niners have seen a key offensive player go down with what looked like a serious injury after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo broke his left foot in the first quarter last week.

Samuel had scored on a 13 yard TD run during San Francisco’s first possession on Sunday. He had four carries for 21 yards and four catches for 43 yards.

Samuel has 54 catches for 612 yards and two touchdowns, along with 228 rushing yards and three touchdowns this season.

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