The San Francisco 49ers announced on Monday that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will miss the remainder of the 2024 season due to a torn ACL and MCL.
Aiyuk sustained the injury during the team’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, suffering a hit to his right knee that resulted in him being carted to the locker room. Following the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed concern about a potential ACL injury, which was confirmed by an MRI on Monday.
The 26-year-old Aiyuk achieved a career-high 1,342 receiving yards in 2023, earning his first second-team All-Pro selection. He recorded 75 receptions and seven touchdowns before signing a four-year, $120 million contract extension in the offseason. This season, Aiyuk has accumulated 374 yards with no touchdowns on 25 receptions over seven games.
Aiyuk’s injury adds to a series of health challenges facing the 49ers. Star running back Christian McCaffrey has not played this season due to an Achilles injury sustained in training camp. Shanahan indicated that McCaffrey could return following the team’s bye week on November 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Deebo Samuel, who participated in only four snaps against the Chiefs, was hospitalized on Sunday night due to pneumonia. Receiver Jauan Jennings missed the Kansas City game due to a hip injury. Additionally, tight end George Kittle is considered day-to-day with a foot sprain.
The 49ers also played their first six games without rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall, who was shot during an attempted robbery on August 31. Pearsall made his NFL debut against the Chiefs, finishing with three receptions.
