2020, Rd. 1-25 | |
Rocklin, CA | |
26 | |
03/17/1998 | |
5YR | |
Arizona State Sun Devils |
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Monday that Aiyuk sustained tears to the ACL and MCL in his right knee during Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis
Aiyuk will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season, ending it with 25 catches (on 47 targets) for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games. With Deebo Samuel suffering from pneumonia, Jauan Jennings dealing with a hip issue and Chris Conley tending to a sprained ankle, the 49ers' current healthy wide receivers on the active roster are Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing and Ronnie Bell.
Injury Status
Status: OUT
Type: Knee - ACL + MCL
Return Date: February 10, 2025
Aiyuk reportedly suffered ACL and MCL tears in his right knee during Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Analysis
Look for confirmation of the report, either way, to arrive from the 49ers later Monday, but Aiyuk appears destined for injured reserve as a result of his knee injury. In Aiyuk's looming absence, Deebo Samuel (illness) and Jauan Jennings (hip) are in line to lead the 49ers' WR corps going forward, with 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall also likely to see an expanded role in the team's passing offense.
Injury Status
Status: DOUBTFUL
Type: Knee - ACL
Return Date: February 10, 2025
Tests on Aiyuk's right knee Monday revealed a season-ending injury, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis
The exact nature of Aiyuk's injury isn't yet clear, but the fear after Sunday's loss to the Chiefs was that it was a significant injury and possibly a torn ACL. While making a catch, Aiyuk was hit low and high by a pair of Kansas City defenders going opposite directions, forcing Aiyuk's knee to bend the wrong direction. It sounds as if he'll end the 2024 season with 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns across seven games after he held out the entirety of training camp while seeking a contract extension. The 49ers eventually caved and gave the star wideout a four-year, $120 million deal. Deebo Samuel (illness) and George Kittle are likely to carry even more of the target load going forward for San Francisco, and Jauan Jennings (hip) figures to draw back into the starting lineup as an every-down wideout once he's healthy. Rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing and veteran Chris Conley would be next in line for snaps.
Injury Status
Status: DOUBTFUL
Type: Knee - ACL
Return Date: February 10, 2025
Coach Kyle Shanahan said after Sunday's 28-18 loss to the Chiefs that the 49ers are worried that Aiyuk tore his ACL, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis
Aiyuk exited due to a second-quarter knee injury. If further testing confirms a torn ACL, the injury would be season-ending. Aiyuk had two catches for 23 yards on six targets prior to getting hurt Sunday, bringing his season totals to 25 catches for 374 yards.
Injury Status
Status: DOUBTFUL
Type: Knee - ACL
Return Date: February 10, 2025
Aiyuk won't return to Sunday's contest against the Chiefs due to a knee injury, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis
Aiyuk picked up the health concern at the end of a 15-yard catch late in the second quarter. He was able to get to the sideline under his own power, but after visiting the sideline tent, he was carted to the locker room at the start of halftime, pointing at his right knee in the process, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. With Jauan Jennings (inactive) and Deebo Samuel (illness) also ruled out, Chris Conley, Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing and Ronnie Bell are the 49ers' current healthy wide receivers.
Injury Status
Status: OUT
Type: Knee
Return Date: February 10, 2025
Aiyuk went to the locker room on a cart due to an undisclosed injury at halftime of Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Analysis
Aiyuk remained on the turf after a 15-yard catch late in the second quarter, and while he was able to walk to the sideline under his own power, he required assistance to reach the locker room. With Deebo Samuel dealing with an illness and barely seeing the field Sunday and Jauan Jennings (hip) inactive, the 49ers may have to play the rest of Week 7 with Chris Conley, Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing and Ronnie Bell at wide receiver.
Injury Status
Status: QUESTIONABLE
Type: Undisclosed
Return Date: February 10, 2025
Aiyuk secured two of four targets for 37 yards in the 49ers' 36-24 win over the Seahawks on Thursday night.
Analysis
On the heels of a season-best eight-catch, 147-yard line in Week 5, Aiyuk disappointingly regressed to the mean just four days later. Outside of the aforementioned breakout performance, Aiyuk hasn't topped 48 receiving yards or five receptions in any of his other five games. Nevertheless, Aiyuk projects to be busier in a Week 7 Super Bowl rematch against the Chiefs on Sunday, Oct. 20, a game where Brock Purdy will likely have to put up more than Thursday night's 28 attempts.
Aiyuk corralled eight of 12 targets for 147 yards in Sunday's 24-23 win over Arizona.
Analysis
Aiyuk finally delivered for fantasy managers after a slow start following his offseason contract dispute. The dynamic wideout saw both his usage (12 targets) and production reach new highs after failing to reach 50 yards receiving in any of his previous five contests if you include the Super Bowl. Aiyuk will attempt tp keep the momentum from his gaudy performance Sunday rolling into the 49ers' next tilt against the Seahawks on Thursday.
Aiyuk had two receptions on five targets for 48 yards in Sunday's 30-13 win over the Patriots.
Analysis
Aiyuk's early slog through the fantasy schedule continued for a fourth week despite the 49ers picking up a comfortable win over New England. The star receiver has seen his numbers slide down across the board since earning a deserved payday just before the start of the regular season. Aiyuk has yet to top 50 yards or find the end zone in any of his four starts this season, while No. 3 option Jauan Jennings led the team in receiving for the second week running. The 26-year-old Aiyuk has bigger fantasy performances ahead of him, with fantasy managers hoping that breakout moment comes in Sunday's home matchup against the Cardinals.
Season | Team | Routes Run | Receptions | Rec. Yards | Target Share | Touchdowns | YAC | ADoT | Catch % | Total EPA | Targets/Route Run | Expected YPRR | YPRR | Adjusted YPRR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | 338 | 25 | 374 | 23.0% | 0 | 102 | 11.86 | 48.9% | 12.6 | 0.25 | 1.32 | 1.79 | 1.78 | |
2023 | 768 | 75 | 1342 | 22.0% | 7 | 368 | 13.97 | 67.0% | 85.3 | 0.25 | 1.45 | 3 | 2.86 | |
2022 | 950 | 78 | 1015 | 22.3% | 8 | 387 | 10.03 | 63.9% | 48.5 | 0.23 | 1.46 | 1.89 | 1.74 |