Deebo Samuel says Jason Verrett injury nearly ended 49ers practice

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel said that the team’s practice on Wednesday nearly ended after cornerback Jason Verrett suffered a season-ending injury.

The San Francisco 49ers are returning from their bye this week, as they host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. But during their practice on Wednesday, the team’s defense took a hit.

Cornerback Jason Verrett went down with a non-contact injury during practice on Wednesday. One day later, the 49ers confirmed that Verrett had suffered a torn left Achilles tendon, officially sidelining him for the entirety of the season.

While speaking with the media on Thursday, 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel said that the team struggled to finish practice due to Verrett’s injury.

Deebo Samuel talks difficulty finishing practice after Jason Verrett injury

“That would be the last guy I want to see on this team go down, knowing all the things he’s been through,” Samuel said, h/t Cam Inman of the Mercury News. “So we huddled up as a team, everybody prayed for him, and we tried our best to finish practice.”

The sad thing about Verrett’s injury was that he was close to nearing a return. He has not played in a game since their 2021 season-opener, when he tore his right ACL when the 49ers faced the Detroit Lions. Verrett actually stood a chance to play against the Chargers, his former team, on Sunday Night Football. Instead, Verrett is once again sidelined with another serious injury.

Verrett last played a full season back in 2020 with the 49ers, recording 60 total tackles, seven defended passes, and two interceptions in 13 games played.

Prior to that, Verrett was limited to one game in 2017 with the Chargers due to a knee injury, and missed the entire 2018 campaign after tearing his Achilles.

The 49ers look to gain ground on the Seattle Seahawks for first-place in the NFC West, and can do so with a win over the Chargers. Unfortunately for them, they will have to go the remainder of the season without Verrett.