The San Francisco 49ers’ Super Bowl 59 hopes were dealt another significant blow in Sunday’s 28-18 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, with star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk likely done for the season.
Brandon Aiyuk suffered a knee injury late in the second quarter and had to be carted off. Speaking to reporters after the loss to Kansas City, head coach Kyle Shanahan gave the devastating injury news that 49ers fans didn’t want to hear.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Shanahan said they fear that Aiyuk tore his ACL. If so, the 26-year-old wideout will be done for the season as injuries continue to mount for the defending NFC champions.
Brandon Aiyuk finished the day with two catches for 23 yards in the loss. Fellow star wideout Deebo Samuel started the game but was later ruled out as he continues to deal with an illness.
#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk is feared to have torn his ACL during today’s game, coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters. He said that’s the worry.
If the MRI confirms, he’d be out for the season. A potentially brutal injury. pic.twitter.com/wJOg4SggDA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 20, 2024
Big picture:
-Let’s see what the prognosis is for Aiyuk.
-The 49ers aren’t as good as the Chiefs.
-Nobody in the NFC is great. Still.— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) October 20, 2024
Before the regular season, Aiyuk signed a lucrative four-year contract extension worth $120 million. Unfortunately, the 2020 first-round pick will not get the chance to build off a career year that saw him rack up 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
Brandon Aiyuk Injury Further Derails 49ers’ Title Hopes
The 49ers offense has been out of sync all season long, with superstar running back Christian McCaffrey yet to play because of Achilles tendinitis. Now, Brock Purdy and company must survive with Aiyuk likely done for the season.