San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a major setback with an injury during a key game. Fans are eagerly awaiting updates, raising questions about the impact on his season and the team’s performance. Many are now wondering what happened to Brandon Aiyuk and when he will return to the field.
Here’s everything you need to know.
How did Brandon Aiyuk get injured while playing football?
Brandon Aiyuk suffered a right knee injury during the San Francisco 49ers’ 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Brandon Aiyuk injured his knee late in the first half after taking a hit following a catch in the red zone. He remained down for several minutes before trainers brought a cart to take him off the field, ultimately ruling him out for the rest of the game.
Coach Kyle Shanahan expressed concerns that Aiyuk may have torn his ACL, which could end his season (via ABC News). The team is awaiting MRI results for confirmation, but expectations are that the injury is significant. Aiyuk has been a key player for the 49ers, catching 25 passes for 374 yards this season and signing a four-year, $120 million extension in August.
When will Brandon Aiyuk return to play with the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL?
Aiyuk may miss the rest of the 2024 season due to a possible season-ending ACL tear.
If the MRI confirms the tear, the recovery process typically spans several months, making his return this season highly unlikely. The injury is a major blow to the 49ers, who are already without All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey and other key players.
San Francisco also missed two top receivers, with Jauan Jennings sidelined by a hip injury and Deebo Samuel limited to four snaps due to illness. Aiyuk’s injury forced the team to rely more on Ricky Pearsall, who recently returned after being shot 50 days earlier. Activated from the non-football injury list, Pearsall caught three passes for 21 yards in his first game back.
