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UPDATE: So much for Kittle having an ankle injury. He caught a 61-yard touchdown pass and finished with six receptions for 129 yards on the night. Not too shabby as the 49ers beat the Packers by a final score of 37-8.
The San Francisco 49ers have gotten off to a hot start against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 on Sunday Night Football. The 49ers head into halftime with a 23-0 lead after Deebo Samuel caught a short slant and turned it into a 42-yard touchdown.
The 49ers offense had struggled to get going. George Kittle caught five passes for 68 yards in the first half, but the team kept coming up short in the red zone. They had a touchdown after a strip-sack of Aaron Rodgers, and then settled for a pair of field goals. However, with a minute left in the second quarter, Jimmy Garoppolo connected with Samuel, and the rookie was off to the races.
Samuel has emerged as a serious presence in the 49ers passing game. Emmanuel Sanders is the veteran leader of the wide receivers since coming over in a trade, but Deebo is emerging as the go-to guy. Sanders has one catch for 15 yards and Marquise Goodwin is inactive. Samuel might be firmly supplanting both on the depth chart.
Meanwhile, Kittle is looking good after missing two weeks with a knee injury. He injured it in Week 9 and there was talk of a broken bone in his ankle. He’s looked spry against the Packers and seems to be feeling good in his return.