The injuries have piled up for the hard-luck San Francisco 49ers following the season-ending setback to Brandon Aiyuk and the hospitalization of Deebo Samuel due to pneumonia. The first year of Aiyuk’s $120 million four-year contract extension, which was marked by a long dispute with the 49ers, lasted seven games due to a torn ACL and MCL. He tallied 25 receptions and 374 yards, helping the 49ers to a 3-4 record. The 26-year-old wide receiver suffered the debilitating injury in the dying seconds of the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The 49ers lost in their Super Bowl rematch, 28-18.
Aiyuk was looking to bump up his production after a relatively slow start when the unfortunate development happened. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said he called Aiyuk to talk to him about the situation.
“He was hurting, just bummed out, exactly how you’d expect,” shared Shanahan in a report by ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. “But he’s a strong dude and spiritual guy and believes everything happens for a reason, so he’ll be all right.” Aiyuk enjoyed a breakout campaign last season and was named to the All-Pro Second Team, helping the 49ers reach the championship round. “He’s definitely a little down last night, and I was just telling him how bad I felt for him and just let him know we’re all here for him through this,” added Shanahan.
With Aiyuk already out, Shanahan can only hope that Samuel and Jauan Jennings, who’s nursing a hip injury, can return soon to lead their receiving unit. Shanahan already said there’s no clear timetable yet for Samuel’s return. The limping 49ers will take on the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
