When replays showed the hit on Brandon Aiyuk's leg during the Week 7 matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, fans feared the worst—that the star receiver would miss significant time.
Brandon Aiyuk is down on the field with an apparent injury. pic.twitter.com/hLO1hj04f3
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 20, 2024
Aiyuk limped off the field, was eventually carted to the locker room, and did not return. During halftime, tight end George Kittle sensed the severity when he learned that Aiyuk needed crutches and a knee brace.
After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan shared that the team feared Aiyuk had suffered a torn ACL.
"That's what it looks like, but we don't know for sure," Shanahan said. "Just doing the test and everything with our hands, and with the trainers and stuff, all that. That's what we fear, that's what it looks like, but we've been wrong before, so we're praying that we are."
On Monday, the 49ers' fears were confirmed. According to a report from Jordan Schultz, tests confirmed that Aiyuk suffered a severe knee injury and will miss the remainder of the season. Later, NFL insider Ian Rapoport added that Aiyuk not only tore his ACL and MCL but may have sustained additional damage. It will be a challenging recovery for the veteran receiver.
"His season is over, with a long road back for 2025," Rapoport added.
Sources: #49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk suffered a season-ending knee injury on Sunday, tests confirmed. pic.twitter.com/QTedEGNPL7
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 21, 2024
#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk does, in fact, have a torn ACL and MCL, per sources after the MRI. There may be other damage.
His season is over, with a long road back for 2025. This is what coach Kyle Shanahan and SF believed following the game. pic.twitter.com/Ju5nxlgDLC
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2024
After becoming one of the highest-paid receivers in football, Aiyuk's fifth NFL season ended with just 23 catches for 351 yards and no touchdowns in six games.
"Obviously, just what B.A. does for our offense and who he is and as a teammate and a brother of ours, it's sad," quarterback Brock Purdy said after the game. "Wishing him nothing but the best and praying for him. That's my guy."
With Aiyuk out for the year, the 49ers will rely on Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings at the top of the wide receiver depth chart. Jennings missed Sunday's game due to a hip injury, but the team hopes he will return this week. Samuel tried to play through an illness but was sidelined for most of the game.
"Throat, stomach things, just real fatigued," Shanahan said, explaining the severity of Samuel's illness. "Struggled to breathe, couldn't catch his breath. That's why he kept trying to fight through it, but once he was struggling with the breathing and everything, we had to shut him down."
The 49ers also saw rookie Ricky Pearsall make his NFL debut just seven weeks after being shot in the chest during a robbery attempt in San Francisco.
RELATED Ricky Pearsall's remarkable return: 49ers rookie reflects on road to NFL debut
"Obviously, we have other guys that can step up and do their job really well," Purdy said. "Ricky, having him back for his first game was awesome. Just seeing him back out there and making cuts and plays, he's a baller too. So, we're really excited for him and for his growth and to bring him with us. We're excited about that and thinking about B.A. and wishing him nothing but the best, too."
Purdy concluded, "We've all just got to come together as a group, collectively, as the receiver unit and all of us. Guys just got to step up, and they have. That's the nature of the sport, sadly."
