Deebo Samuel sets NFL record, helps San Francisco 49ers clinch playoff spot
Deebo Samuel set an NFL record and helped the San Francisco 49ers to a playoff berth.
Samuel, the former South Carolina standout, set an NFL record for rushing touchdowns by a receiver in a season with his 16-yard run in the third quarter of the 49ers’ 27-24 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Samuel’s eight touchdowns break Lenny Moore’s record of seven set in 1961.
With the win, San Francisco clinches a postseason berth and will travel to Dallas next week in the first round of the playoffs.
Samuel did a little bit of everything in the victory. He caught four passes for 95 yards, ran it times for 45 yards and threw his first NFL touchdown pass, a 24-yarder to Jauan Jennings in the third quarter.
San Francisco trailed 17-3 at halftime before rallying for the win.
Samuel finished the regular season with 77 catches for 1,405 yards, 365 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns.
San Francisco picked Samuel in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and he had a standout rookie campaign during the 49ers’ trip to the Super Bowl. He was bothered by a hamstring injury last year and played in just seven games.
This story was originally published January 9, 2022 at 8:03 PM with the headline "Deebo Samuel sets NFL record, helps San Francisco 49ers clinch playoff spot."
