Brandon Aiyuk news gets even worse for the 49ers with latest update on season-ending injury
The San Francisco 49ers feared the worst regarding Brandon Aiyuk's knee injury, and there was no pleasant surprise following tests on Monday. If anything, the news was worse than anticipated. Speaking after a dispiriting 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Kyle Shanahan told reporters it was believed Aiyuk had suffered a torn ACL late […]
The San Francisco 49ers feared the worst regarding Brandon Aiyuk's knee injury, and there was no pleasant surprise following tests on Monday. If anything, the news was worse than anticipated.
Speaking after a dispiriting 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Kyle Shanahan told reporters it was believed Aiyuk had suffered a torn ACL late in the second quarter.
And a report from Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz on Monday revealed Aiyuk had indeed sustained an ACL injury that will end his 2024 season early.
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport then reported that Aiyuk had suffered a torn ACL and MCL and that there may be additional damage to his knee, leaving the 2020 first-round pick facing a long and potentially more arduous road to recovery.
Aiyuk, who signed a four-year, $120 million extension in August, had endured a frustrating campaign following a long contract stand-off with the Niners.
He will finish the season with 374 yards receiving and zero touchdowns.
His absence leaves the 49ers still with plenty of talent at the receiver position, though Deebo Samuel played only four snaps in the loss to the Chiefs due to an illness, while Jauan Jennings missed out with a hip issue.
They are both likely to return in Week 8, but the Niners will now need to lean more on two rookie pass-catchers further down the depth chart. First-round pick Ricky Pearsall made his debut on Sunday 50 days on from being shot through the chest, and both he and fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing were bright spots as the Niners dropped to 3-4.
Samuel, Jennings and George Kittle are set to carry the bulk of the burden in the passing game with Aiyuk out of the picture, but San Francisco will hope Pearsall and Cowing can build on those positive flashes to ensure the loss of the Niners' leading receiver from the last two seasons is not felt quite as keenly as many may expect.
‘It’s much bigger than football’ – Ricky Pearsall has right take on Brandon Aiyuk injury and his 49ers chance
He had a good dose of perspective.
