What's confirmed. Samuel is out vs. the Raiders. Mike Evans (Achilles) and Christian Kirk (knee) are also out. Samuel has not practiced this week with the hamstring and sat the open portion of Friday's session before the final report closed the door. This is the official game-status escalation from Thursday's GM note that he was unlikely to play.
How we got here. Samuel has been sidelined since Week 5 with the hamstring and avoided injured reserve around the Week 8 bye. RSO covered that IR hold in mid-October and the earlier Week 7 out designation. Friday's report is the Week 9 decision: he will not play Sunday. RotoWire lists an estimated return of Nov. 15, which would be the next window after this Raiders matchup.
Who gets the work. With Evans, Samuel, and Kirk all out, the healthy wideouts on the active roster take the snaps. RotoWire pointed to Jordan Watkins, Brandin Cooks, and Jacob Cowing, with Demarcus Robinson (ankle) listed as questionable and a candidate to come off injured reserve this week or next. Prefer the receiver already logging the highest snap share in recent Samuel/Evans absences over a speculative stash.
What RSO owners should do now. Sit Samuel for Week 9. Do not wait for inactive lists; the Friday out tag is enough. Keep him rostered through the hamstring cycle unless you need the spot for a clear weekly starter. In deeper formats, claim or start the 49ers WR who has already absorbed targets when Samuel and Evans have been out.
What to watch next. Next week's Wednesday practice report. Limited work is the first signal he is closing on availability for the Nov. 15 window. Until then, treat him as unavailable for Sunday decisions.
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