Deebo details his 'scary' pneumonia experience before 49ers-Cowboys game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Star 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel is still recovering from pneumonia that sidelined him during San Francisco's 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend at Levi's Stadium.

He spent Sunday through Tuesday in the hospital with fluid in his lungs but is making tentative progress ahead of San Francisco's Week 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys on “Sunday Night Football.”

“Honestly, I really couldn’t breathe,” Samuel told reporters Friday. “I didn’t really know what was going on until after the game.”

Life, let alone sprinting with shoulder pads and a helmet, was difficult for the 28-year-old. But Samuel knew something was wrong, especially when not even adrenaline could give him energy as he warmed up before the highly anticipated Super Bowl LVIII rematch.

“Probably when I went to warm up before the game and didn’t have the energy to run or anything like that for a while,” Samuel said. “Then I came in and we tried a little IV to get some energy. Luckily we found it right after the game and everything else too.

“Yes, it was scary because it was really hard to breathe. You can’t take a deep breath.”

Deep breathing is essential for every athlete. It was wise for Samuel to reconsider rather than act sickly.

Luckily for Samuel, he's in much better shape heading into the 49ers' Week 8 game against the Cowboys and claims he's been “feeling good” in recent workouts, a promising sign.

However, the hospital stay was not so positive. Samuel didn't like the doctor's office, but he played video games to distract himself.

“I’m scared of the hospital,” Samuel said. “I don’t like being in the hospital. But whatever I needed to get better, I'm all for it. The two days there were cool. I had my brother in there (and) brought my game. I just chilled and got the treatment I needed.”

San Francisco missed Samuel's performance last Sunday. He should be close to returning, considering coach Kyle Shanahan listed him as questionable for Friday's 49ers-Cowboys game.

Samuel was known for his strength and speed during his six-year NFL career. These features were evident in his recovery from pneumonia.

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