Kyle Shanahan shares brutal injury update on Brandon Aiyuk

Sep 26, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) walks on the field before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers are bracing themselves for the worst-case scenario regarding Brandon Aiyuk.

Aiyuk went down with a knee injury during the 49ers’ Sunday clash against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. The Niners wideout got sandwiched between two Chiefs defenders while making a catch late in the first half (video here). Aiyuk left the contest with two catches for 23 yards.

After the game, a somber Kyle Shanahan updated reporters on Aiyuk. The 49ers head coach revealed that Aiyuk may have suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

“Brandon Aiyuk had a knee [injury]. We’re worried it’s an ACL,” said Shanahan. “Not confirmed yet but we’ll find out for sure tomorrow.”

Kyle Shanahan says the 49ers are worried Brandon Aiyuk suffered an ACL injury in today's loss pic.twitter.com/5Bn7hBmpLf

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) October 20, 2024

Aiyuk entered Week 7 as San Francisco’s leader with 41 targets. But with just 374 yards and no touchdowns through seven games this season, Aiyuk has yet to live up to the massive contract extension the 49ers signed him to in August.

After Aiyuk went down in the 49ers 28-18 loss to the Chiefs, San Francisco ended up without any of its top three wide receivers. Pro Bowler Deebo Samuel missed the game with an illness, while Jauan Jennings was held out due to a lingering hip injury.