Deebo Samuel reported for duty Tuesday as the San Francisco 49ers kick off Day 1 of mandatory minicamp.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday morning that Samuel is expected to attend minicamp this week after skipping voluntary OTAs, per a source informed of the plans. Hours later, Samuel was back on the practice field, but the 49ers star did not appear ready to participate in on-field work.
After requesting a trade earlier this offseason, Samuel remains on the Niners roster, with general manger John Lynch recently noting he'd be a "fool" to trade the dynamic receiver.
Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Tuesday that he remains confident an agreement can be struck between Samuel and San Francisco.
"I think it's always been all right," Shanahan said, per The Athletic. "I don't think the relationship was ever too far away to not get back to normal."
Attending mandatory minicamp doesn't mean Samuel is happy with his contract situation, as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. But it's a positive step in the right direction that doesn't inflame the situation. Still, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday evening that a new deal was not imminent.
Players who skip mandatory work are subject to possible fines unless they are given excused absences -- like the Niners have done with Jimmy Garoppolo. Samuel reporting for minicamp wipes out that concern.
Another star 49er attending minicamp is pass rusher Nick Bosa. The fourth-year defensive end was in the building Monday, a sign he would be at camp, Rapoport added. Bosa, like Samuel, had not been attending OTAs and is a candidate to be extended.
Last season, Samuel spearheaded the Niners' postseason run, proving a dynamic force as a receiver and a ball-carrier, netting 1,405 receiving yards and 365 rushing yards with 14 total TDs in 16 regular-season games. The 26-year-old is due a massive pay raise. Perhaps attending minicamp is the first good-faith step in resolving the gap between the sides.
