On Monday, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel expressed his support for his injured teammate, Brandon Aiyuk. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Aiyuk suffered a season-ending knee injury during Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, tearing his ACL and MCL.
"I talked with him last night, just calling him at his house," Shanahan said on Monday. "I haven't seen him today, but he was hurt and just bummed out, exactly how you'd expect. But B.A.'s a strong dude and spiritual guy, and believes everything happens for a reason, so he'll be all right."
Samuel shared a heartfelt message for his teammate on Instagram, promising to give his all for him on the field.
"Know I'm [going to] lay it all on the line for you brother!!! This one hurt [for real]," Samuel wrote (h/t Joaquin Ruiz of NBC Sports Bay Area for the find).
Deebo sends support to Aiyuk 💔
[via @19problemz IG] pic.twitter.com/h5euSPkWGe
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) October 21, 2024
Samuel and Aiyuk have an evident bond. The duo even occasionally spoke to the media together during press conferences. The 49ers selected Samuel in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and drafted Aiyuk in the first round (25th overall) the following year.
Aiyuk signed a contract extension just before the season began, making him one of the NFL's highest-paid receivers. He recorded 25 receptions for 374 yards before going down in the first half against the Chiefs.
In dealing with his own setback, Samuel was limited to just a few snaps on Sunday due to an illness. The severity wasn't known until Shanahan revealed that Samuel had been hospitalized with fluid in his lungs, battling pneumonia.
"It started acting up in the middle of the night, Saturday night, or early Sunday morning, and then it just kind of evolved as the day went," Shanahan explained. "So, once we found out he had the fluid in his lungs and stuff after the game, then I believe they sent him over there. I'm not sure the timeline of it, but I just found out that's where he was on Sunday night when I was at home."
The 49ers have been hit hard by injuries this season. Star running back Christian McCaffrey has yet to play due to bilateral Achilles tendinitis. Joining him on injured reserve are offensive lineman Jon Feliciano, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, safety Talanoa Hufanga, running back Elijah Mitchell, linebacker Curtis Robinson, cornerback Ambry Thomas, and kicker Matthew Wright.
Additionally, wide receiver Jauan Jennings missed Sunday's game with a hip injury, though Shanahan is optimistic he could return this week.
The 49ers dropped to 3-4 after Sunday's loss and aim to bounce back this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Whether Deebo Samuel will be healthy enough to play in the prime-time matchup remains to be seen.