Brock Purdy Loses Key Weapon as Brandon Aiyuk Suffers Season-Ending Injury
Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers will be without one of their most dynamic offensive threats, Brandon Aiyuk, after tests confirmed the wide receiver suffered a torn ACL and MCL during the team’s Sunday loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to multiple reports. Aiyuk sustained the injury in the second quarter, dealing a major blow to the 49ers’ offensive firepower.
Aiyuk, 26, was a crucial part of San Francisco’s offense, leading the team with 1,342 receiving yards in 2023. One of his most memorable moments came in the NFC Championship Game, where his 51-yard catch—deflected off an opponent’s helmet—gave the 49ers a glimmer of hope as they trailed the Detroit Lions 24-10. His strong performance last season earned him a four-year, $120 million contract extension over the summer, solidifying his role as one of the 49ers’ top offensive weapons.
However, the road to securing that contract was far from smooth. The negotiation process became contentious, with Aiyuk at one point requesting a trade to either the Pittsburgh Steelers or Washington Commanders. This caused some friction with the 49ers’ fanbase, exacerbated by his sideline frustrations during training camp and a slow start to the 2024 season.
Aiyuk’s production this season had not lived up to his previous standard. He surpassed 100 receiving yards only once—a 147-yard outing in a Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals—and ends the season without scoring a touchdown. In addition, he logged three drops, including a costly one against the Chiefs, after having only two drops the entire previous season. His 374 receiving yards this year rank third on the team behind Jauan Jennings (404) and George Kittle (375).
With the NFL trade deadline approaching in two weeks, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the possibility of making a move to fill the void left by Aiyuk’s absence. The 49ers have been aggressive in the past, trading for veteran Emmanuel Sanders in 2019 to bolster the offense mid-season.
“I don’t know, it depends on what’s available, depends on the risk and reward with everything,” Shanahan said after Sunday’s game. “We look into every situation, but we have to balance all that out.”
Despite Aiyuk’s loss, the 49ers still have a talented group of playmakers. Jauan Jennings (hip) and Deebo Samuel (illness) both missed part or all of Sunday’s game but are expected to return for the Week 8 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The team is also hopeful that running back Christian McCaffrey, who contributed 564 receiving yards last season, will return after their Week 9 bye.
Rookie receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing also stepped up in Aiyuk’s absence. Pearsall was targeted four times in the second half, the most of any 49ers receiver, while Cowing finished the game with 50 yards on just eight routes run.
The 49ers’ offense faces a challenging road ahead without Aiyuk, but with depth at wide receiver and the potential for mid-season reinforcements, the team remains optimistic about continuing their success.
(Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
