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You can argue that the San Francisco 49ers were the most talented of the four teams on Championship Weekend. One Niners player believes that to be the case. Luck just wasn't on their side against the Philadelphia Eagles. Quarterback Brock Purdy exited the game with a UCL tear, and his backup, Josh Johnson, was forced out with a concussion in the second half.
Purdy returned to the game, but the injury prevented him from throwing. So, lacking a quarterback who could throw the football, it was run, run, and run some more for much of the game.
"Man, it was tough. It was weird," wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk told Brad Graham of TheSFNiners. "It was definitely a weird situation. I've never been in any situation like that, let alone in a championship game with everything on the line. It was definitely weird.
"I didn't even know. It really took me getting home and being on the plane and really sitting down and realizing what just went on. We literally just played a football game for pretty much a half a football with no quarterback. It's the craziest thing."
Regarding talent, Aiyuk believes the 49ers roster is second to none, despite the team having to watch Super Bowl 57 from home. The 49ers playing in the NFC Championship Game with two hands tied behind their backs was a tough pill to swallow after winning 12 consecutive games entering the matchup.
"We went on a run. That's what makes this one just super hard, just because you have to get super lucky," Aiyuk shared. "You have to get super lucky. We have a talented football team. We have, hands down, the best football team in the league. Hands down. Hands down. I'm not even about to argue with anybody who thinks they should argue that."
Aiyuk admits that it has been tough to ignore the media chatter leading to the Super Bowl matchup between the Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. The receiver believes that, had the 49ers been a little luckier with injuries, it might be him preparing for the big game.
"I'm sitting down on the couch, just watching whatever these sports shows are, and they're just talking about how Philly is the best team, the most loaded team in football all year," Aiyuk said. "And it's just like—can't say nothing about it—but it's just like, 'No.' If you want to go player for player, offense or defense, I don't think anybody has [what we have].
"But that's what makes us so sick about this one because we feel like everything that we did from that point on, losing from KC, and from that point forward, just what we did to the league and how we just played on tape and how we really, I firmly believe, pumped fear into the opponent's heart when they had to come and play the San Francisco 49ers, we felt like it was our time. We felt like it was our time. And for that to get cut short, it's sickening."
Aiyuk and the 49ers were hoping for a rematch against the Chiefs, the team that delivered the Week 7 loss that sparked their impressive 12-game win streak.
Aiyuk added, "Kansas City [beat us], and we wanted to get one more chance at them. We weren't able to do that."
Kyle Shanahan provides injury updates on Brandon Aiyuk, others after 49ers beat Rams
By David Bonilla
Sep 17
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters after the team's 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. He provided injury updates from the game.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was in and out of the game due to a left shoulder injury. A reporter asked if the coach was concerned that the injury could be serious.
"I wouldn't think so," Shanahan responded. "I mean, I know he was hurting a little bit, but he was able to play through it, so I think I'll be all right."
The coach mentioned two other players in his post-game injury report.
"[CB Ambry] Thomas, he had a knee," Shanahan said. "He was in and out. After that, [CB Deommodore
Brandon Aiyuk's status vs. Giants remains unclear as 49ers face short week
By David Bonilla
Sep 18
The San Francisco 49ers have three days to prepare for their next opponent. For players, that work will begin on Tuesday. They have Monday off. It will be a quick turnaround for head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad, which will host the New York Giants on Thursday night at Levi's Stadium.
On Sunday, Brandon Aiyuk was in and out of the lineup against the Los Angeles Rams. The wide receiver suffered a shoulder injury. For now, Shanahan doesn't sound too concerned. Of course, the head coach is awaiting more information on his star player.
Shanahan spoke with reporters on Monday morning, likely getting his typical day-after-a-game conference call out of the way earlier than usual so he can return to preparing a game plan for the Giants. The coach was asked about Aiyuk's
49ers vs. Giants Injury Report: Brandon Aiyuk listed as DNP on Monday
By David Bonilla
Sep 18
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 3 contest against the New York Giants on Thursday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The team did not practice on Monday. Players have the day off. However, the 49ers did release a report that revealed the status of players—had there been a practice.
There are a couple of situations to keep an eye on ahead of Thursday's game. Brandon Aiyuk is dealing with a shoulder injury that the wide receiver sustained on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. His Week 3 status remains unclear.
RELATED: Brandon Aiyuk's status vs. Giants remains unclear as 49ers face short
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is on hand for Monday's bonus practice. It's the first of four practices this week, as the team is coming off a long weekend following its Thursday night win over the New York Giants. Coaches and players had the weekend off.
Brandon Aiyuk on hand for the start of 49ers practice pic.twitter.com/2n1Dlvp06g— KNBR (@KNBR)
