Deebo Samuel back from groin injury for 49ers, will play vs. Bengals
Sports // 49ers
Dec. 12, 2021 Updated: Dec. 12, 2021 12:18 p.m.
San Francisco 49ers' Deebo Samuel out runs Los Angeles Rams' Jordan Fuller for a 40 yard touchdown reception in 4th quarter during Niners' 31-10 win in NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Monday, November 15, 2021.
Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle
CINCINNATI -- After Deebo Samuel strained his groin on Nov. 28, the 49ers wide receiver gave head coach Kyle Shanahan an amateur diagnosis: He thought his strain was similar in severity to the same injury that caused him to miss just one game in 2019.
Samuel was correct.
Samuel will return from a one-game absence to play Sunday against the Bengals. His return is a major boost for an offense that will be without its leading rusher, Elijah Mitchell (concussion, knee). Samuel ranks fourth in the NFL in receiving yards (1,006) and had 181 yards on 19 carries with four touchdowns while lining up at running back in his past three games.
Samuel was listed as questionable for the game after he returned to practice Friday and was limited for that half-speed session. Samuel ran on the side during the previous two practices because the 49ers were wary of him suffering an injury during a full-speed period.
"When you're pushing it and you're going against someone and competing, it's such a higher chance of pulling it," Shanahan said Friday. "So we've been pushing him on the side … We'll find out (Saturday) when (the medical staff tells) us where they think he's at. If they think he's good and don't think he'll reinjure it, he'll (play) on Sunday."
There are no surprises among the 49ers' other inactives. They are linebacker Dre Greenlaw (groin), defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (calf), cornerback Dontae Johnson (personal matter), linebacker Tyrell Adams and offensive lineman Colton McKivitz.
On Saturday, the 49ers placed cornerback Emmnauel Moseley (ankle) and running back Trenton Cannon (concussion) on injured reserve. They moved four players from the practice squad to the active roster: running back Brian Hill, cornerback Saivion Smith, wide receiver River Cracraft and safety Jarrod Wilson.
Eric Branch covers the 49ers for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch