Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown ensure 49ers-Eagles matchup not void of smack talk

Not one to sit idly by while others engage in trash talk, Eagles receiver A.J. Brown seemingly took a shot back at Samuel on X.

Samuel had just one reception on one target for nine yards while covered by Bradberry during their last meeting, per Pro Football Focus, and he says things will be different this time around because the 49ers expect to have a healthy Brock Purdy under center for the entire game — something they didn’t have in January. 

Purdy attempted just four passes that game in which he suffered a UCL tear in the first quarter. He later returned in the third quarter but couldn’t throw with his right arm as he was relegated to handing the ball off and the 49ers tried to use trick run plays to push the ball down the field.

Samuel pointed to Purdy’s injury as to why the Eagles had an easy path to the Super Bowl during an interview with Complex Sports in May.

“We lost because we played with 10 people,” Samuel said. “I ain't going to keep going on about what could've happened and what would've happened, but yeah, it would've definitely been a different outcome (if Purdy was healthy).”

Now, Purdy is fully healthy and playing some solid football. He’s passed for 838 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception during San Francisco’s three-game win streak.