Deebo Samuel is no Jerry Rice. But the 49ers rookie receiver can always say there was a time when he was better than the greatest receiver in NFL history.
With two first-half catches Saturday night, Samuel passed Rice on the 49ers’ single-season rookie receiving list. Samuel’s 50th catch this season eclipsed Rice’s rookie season total of 49 in 1985.
Considering Rice owns more than 100 NFL records, he’s probably OK with Samuel earning a little glory of his own.
Samuel, who has more catches than any other San Francisco wide receiver this season, passed even with more 49ers royalty with a short fourth-quarter catch, his 52nd of the season.