Deebo didn't get involved until it was too late for 49ers

Despite Richie James’ breakout performance in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers, the 49ers have not expanded their playing time beyond their top three wide receivers.

The 49ers leaned heavily Monday night on Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuik and Kendrick Bourne.

Samuel was on the field for all but three of the 49ers’ offensive snaps in their 34-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Glendale, Ariz.

Brandon Aiyuk returned to action after missing a game while on the reserve/COVID-19 list and was on the field for 53 snaps. He caught five passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.

The 49ers’ third receiver, Kendrick Bourne, played 30 snaps and had four catches for 35 yards.

James was on the field for just seven offensive plays and did not see any passes from Nick Mullens thrown his way.

Samuel did not catch his first pass until late in the third quarter with the 49ers already down by 17 points. He finished with six receptions for 73 yards.

“It was really important to us to establish the run to start the game out to get that going,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “So we didn't have a ton of passes in the first half, and the ones that we called for him, we didn't get those coverages and they controlled the ball very well.

“Eventually we got it to him. I thought he did a good job in the plays we tried and got to him on, but when we didn’t score there on the end and they returned that, then it kind of ended right there.”

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James appeared ready to become a significant contributor on offense after stepping up when Samuel, Aiyuk and Bourne were unavailable. James caught nine passes for 184 against the Packers on Nov. 5.

But in James’ other six games this season, he has just four catches for 55 yards.

The 49ers deactivated slot receiver Trent Taylor on Monday night (he is healthy) for the first time all season. Receiver River Cracraft was active for his contributions on special teams.

Four halfbacks saw action on Monday night for the 49ers. Jeff Wilson got the most playing time. Wilson had 47 yards on seven carries and two receptions for 12 yards. Wilson played 28 snaps, while Raheem Mostert played 27 snaps. Mostert had 42 yards rushing on nine attempts.

Tevin Coleman returned to action from a knee injury and rushed for minus-11 yards on two carries while playing two snaps. Jerick McKinnon played two snaps and did not touch the ball.

Here’s how much each of the 49ers played Monday night on offense, defense and special teams.

Offense

Quarterback: Nick Mullens 61

Running back: Jeff Wilson 28, Raheem Mostert 27, Kyle Juszczyk 14, Tevin Coleman 4, Jerick McKinnon 2

Wide receiver: Deebo Samuel 58, Brandon Aiyuk 53, Kendrick Bourne 30, Richie James 7, River Cracraft 1

Tight end: Ross Dwelley 35, Jordan Reed 31, Charlie Woerner 15

Offensive line: Mike McGlinchey 61, Daniel Brunskill 61, Trent Williams 61, Laken Tomlinson 61, Tom Compton 34, Colton McKivitz 27

Defense

Defensive line: Kerry Hyder 53, Arik Armstead 49, Javon Kinlaw 48, Kevin Givens 42, Kentavius Street 36, Dion Jordan 35, Jordan Willis 19, D.J. Jones 11

Linebacker: Fred Warner 73, Dre Greenlaw 71, Azeez Al-Shaair 1

RELATED: 49ers report card: Grades for offense, defense in Week 13 loss to Bills

Defensive back: Jimmie Ward 73, Tarvarius Moore 73, Jason Verrett 72, Richard Sherman 72, Dontae Johnson 63, Marcell Harris 10, Ahkello Witherspoon 2

Special teams

Joe Walker 20, Woerner 18, Witherspoon 18, Al-Shaair 18, Cracraft 14, Harris 13, Kai Nacua 12, James 11, Ward 11, Mitch Wishnowsky 10, Armstead 10, Tim Harris 8, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles 8, Dwelley 8, Johnson 8, Coleman 7, Taybor Pepper 6, Hyder 6, Jordan 6, Street 6, Robbie Gould 5, Moore 5, Kinlaw 5, Hroniss Grasu 4, Justin Skule 4, Tomlinson 4, McGlinchey 4, McKivitz 4, Brunskill 3, Juszczyk 2, Aiyuk 1, Bourne 1, McKinnon 1, Greenlaw 1, Jones 1

Did not play

QB C.J. Beathard

Inactive

WR Trent Taylor, CB K’Waun Williams (ankle), CB Emmanuel Moseley (hamstring), RB Austin Walter