Two of the biggest weapons in the Arizona Cardinals’ division are not practicing at the start of training camp because of contract issues.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel are both attending training camp without participating as “hold-ins”, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Both Metcalf and Samuel are in the final year of their rookie deals after being selected in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Samuel, though, requested a trade in the spring. The 49ers have not been willing to deal the wideout just yet and are hopeful that they will come to a long-term contract extension agreement with Samuel to smooth things over, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
Metcalf did not attend Seattle’s mandatory minicamp in June.
Both offenses would be significantly impacted by an absence from either NFC West standout.
The 24-year-old Metcalf has been a great and productive pass catcher since the day he got in the NFL. In his first three seasons, Metcalf has amassed 216 receptions for 3,170 yards with 29 touchdowns. He’s had at least 900 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in every year of his career. He led the Seahawks in receiving yards and touchdowns in 2021.
And that doesn’t compare to Samuel’s value, as he is one of the most unique players in the NFL. Samuel last year was utilized as both a wide receiver and running back. On top of his 77 catches, 1,405 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns with a league-leading 18.2 yards per catch, he carried the ball 59 times for 365 yards and eight more touchdowns. Samuel’s 1,770 yards from scrimmage made him only the seventh wideout in league history to reach that number, per Football-Reference.
The Cardinals play Seattle in Weeks 6 and 9 while games against San Francisco take place during Weeks 11 and 18. Arizona, of course, will be without its own top pass catcher in DeAndre Hopkins to start the year due to his six-game suspension.