Will Niners WR Deebo Samuel play in Sunday's NFC title game vs. Lions?

 The San Francisco 49ers have seen what not having wide receiver Deebo Samuel does to their offense. And they hope history doesn't repeat itself in Sunday's NFC championship game.

Samuel suffered a shoulder injury in the first half of last week's 24-21 win over Green Bay and didn't return. He's listed as questionable to play this week against the Detroit Lions (6:30 p.m. ET, Fox) with a spot in Super Bowl 58 going to the winner.

In the three games Samuel missed during the regular season (two full games and the one in which he was hurt in the first quarter), the Niners lost all three and scored exactly 17 points in each − their lowest point total of the season.

Here's what we know about Samuel's recovery and status for the playoff mat

chup:ESPN reports Samuel is "50-50" to play Sunday due to the shoulder injury he sustained against the Packers. The wide receiver did not participate in Wednesday's practice. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan had said that Samuel wouldn't practice Wednesday, adding "his shoulder hurts."

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He does have the benefit of an extra day of rest since the top-seeded Niners' playoff opener was last Saturday (while the Lions played on Sunday).

Samuel's participation level in practice the rest of the week should provide an indication of how likely it is he'll suit up.

What was Deebo Samuel's injury?

Samuel left Saturday's game early against Green Bay with what was diagnosed as a head injury, but he was cleared to return. Shortly afterward, he came out of the game for good with a shoulder injury – the same ailment that caused him to miss time earlier in the season.