Deebo expected at Niners’ minicamp, source says

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — After staying away for the rest of the offseason program, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel reported for the first day of the team’s mandatory minicamp Tuesday.

Samuel, who requested a trade in April, did not participate in the practice but did some running on a side field. Samuel did not report for the minicamp so he is exempt from the fines associated with missing minicamp sessions.

Of more importance, Samuel’s presence at the 49ers’ training facility for the first time this offseason could be a step in the right direction toward mending the issues that led to his trade request.

Niners coach Kyle Shanahan, and general manager John Lynch insist that they do not intend to trade Samuel. Shanahan stated that he expected Samuel would show up to the minicamp at the May start of organized team activities.

After Tuesday’s practice, Shanahan stated that he didn’t believe that Samuel’s relationship needed much mending. He also expressed optimism about the possibility of the two sides coming up with a solution to keep Samuel in the fold over the long-term.

“I believe it’s always been fine,” Shanahan stated. “I know that we’ve been through the business side of this league and other things like that, but I don’t think it was ever too far away for us to get it back to normal. I think we are working on that. It’s always hard to be away from your partner for a while. But it’s important to get him back in the club and get him to interact with the guys again. Shanahan was asked if Samuel had rescinded the trade request. Samuel has not been available for media interviews since the trade request became public.

Shanahan did, however, say that discussions between the Niners and Samuel’s representatives are ongoing and that he and Samuel have had the opportunity to speak in person recently.

” They always talk,” Shanahan stated. “I love our relationship and hope that it will help us to resolve this contractually before the season. While it is not clear what motivated Samuel to request a trade for Deebo, he has kept in touch with his teammates throughout the entire process. Quarterback Trey Lance said Tuesday that he and Samuel talk all the time, and left tackle Trent Williams, one of Samuel’s closest friends on the team, said Samuel has come to him with questions on the contract negotiation process.

“This business is his dream, it is his career, and I’m not the one to make too many mistakes,” Williams stated. “I try to give advice if he requests it, which he has, and we’ve had quality talks. I think he’s taking the situation by the horns now, showing maturity by showing up, I think that that goes a long ways. “

Samuel wasn’t the only Niner to show up for this week’s minicamp after being otherwise absent this offseason. Williams participated in Tuesday’s practice, as so did defensive end Nick Bosa.

Bosa, who is entering the fourth season of his rookie contract, is eligible for a contract extension. While the Niners already exercised the fifth-year option on Bosa’s contract that would keep him with the team through the 2023 season, Bosa is expected to get a lucrative new deal in the relatively near future. To that end, Shanahan stated that contract negotiations have not started yet.

” We haven’t been doing this yet with Nick, just as that’s how both parties are going at it now,” Shanahan stated. “I’m not too worried about it. I fully anticipate Nick Bosa staying here for a very long period of time. “

Also, as expected, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is not participating in minicamp. The 49ers excused him from reporting as Garoppolo continues to rehabilitate his surgically repaired right shoulder in Southern California.

” All his rehab is in Los Angeles, so for him not to come up here for a 3-day minicamp doesn’t make sense for him or us,” Shanahan stated. We want him to continue his rehab. It wasn’t a dangerous surgery. It takes time. It’s just a matter of time. “

The Niners will trade Garoppolo if he is healthy, but Shanahan stated Tuesday that Garoppolo would report to training camp if he was still on the roster at the opening in late July.

Defensive end Dee Ford has also been excused from this week’s minicamp as he figures out his football future. Ford, who has been dealing with a back injury the past two seasons, will be reporting for a physical this week.

“I’m happy to report that we have received a positive report from his doctors stating how healthy he is in this position,” Shanahan stated. “We’re going to check him out with the physical. [We] Do not expect him to join our team. “