The San Francisco 49ers are considering an IR stint for wide receiver Deebo Samuel.

Samuel injured his hamstring in the third quarter of the 49ers' Week 5 win over the Seattle Seahawks. He limped off the field and was almost immediately ruled out − a bad sign for the severity of his injury.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday didn't give a specific timeline for Samuel's return while speaking with reporters. He instead said it would be "some time" and at one point used the phrase "a couple weeks." Thursday he told reporters in a press conference the team is considering IR for the injured receiver.

"It is a possibility," Shanahan said. "I think if we didn't have that Bye week I think it'd be around that area. But gaining that week where we don't play is why we're still trying to wait it out right now."

Samuel will be out for Week 6 against the Washington Commanders, and figures to be out in Week 7 when the 49ers visit the Atlanta Falcons. Their Bye is in Week 8, and it sounds like the team is hoping he'll be available in Week 9 vs. the Las Vegas Raiders.

Hamstrings can be tricky, though, so it wouldn't be a surprise if Samuel winds up missing more time than those three weeks. On the other hand, an IR stint would mean something more major since he'd have to be out a minimum of four weeks if he's placed on IR. That means he'd be missing something closer to seven or eight weeks, which is indicative of a more significant injury.

Samuel this season has fit seamlessly back into the 49ers offense where he has 16 catches for 206 yards and three touchdowns. He also has nine rushing attempts for 78 yards.