49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk done for season with torn ACL
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers’ worst suspicions were confirmed Monday when it was learned Brandon Aiyuk was lost for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
The news, first reported by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, came as no surprise given coach Kyle Shanahan’s dire prognosis of a torn ACL following a 28-18 loss Sunday to the Kansas City Chiefs.
“That’s what it looks like, but we don’t know for sure, just doing the test and everything with our hands and with the trainers, all that,” Shanahan said.
Aiyuk was injured when hit by defensive backs Trent McDuffie and Chamarri Cooper at the Chiefs 14-yard line late in the first half. He stayed on the field on his back for a time, then with the help of the training staff hobbled off the field. However, he was then placed on a cart, driven to the locker room and could be seen pointing to his right knee.
The injury comes after a contentious offseason holdout for a contract extension in which the former first-round draft pick was nearly traded. He eventually signed a four-year deal worth a maximum of $130 million.
A year after catching 79 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns and had a miracle catch off the helmet of a defender during the 49ers’ 34-31 comeback win over Detroit in the NFC Championship Game, Aiyuk finishes the season with 25 receptions for 374 yards and no touchdowns.
Aiyuk, 26, had two catches for 23 yards against the Chiefs and one conspicuous drop from quarterback Brock Purdy that could have gone for big yardage. The 49ers were also without wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who reported to work with an illness Sunday morning. Jauan Jennings, the 49ers’ No. 3 wideout, was out with a hip injury but the hope is he’ll return to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8.
The injury was the latest in series of issues for the 49ers, who have lost defensive tackle Javon Hargrave with a torn triceps for the season and while running back Christian McCaffery, the 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, has yet to play because of Achilles tendinitis in both ankles.
