49ers' Aiyuk Out for Season with Torn ACL, MCL

The San Francisco 49ers announced on Monday that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2024 season after suffering a torn ACL and MCL.

Aiyuk was injured during the team's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he was carted off to the locker room following a hit to his right knee. Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed concerns about an ACL injury after the game, and an MRI confirmed the diagnosis on Monday.

The 26-year-old wide receiver set a career high with 1,342 receiving yards in 2023, earning a second-team All-Pro selection for the first time. He recorded 75 receptions and seven touchdowns before signing a four-year, $120 million extension during the offseason. In 2024, Aiyuk had 374 yards and no touchdowns on 25 receptions over seven games.

Aiyuk's injury adds to the 49ers' list of significant health concerns. Star running back Christian McCaffrey has been out since injuring his Achilles during training camp, though Shanahan indicated that McCaffrey might return after 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 a form of pneumonia. Additionally, receiver Jauan Jennings missed the Kansas City game with a hip injury.

Shanahan noted that tight end George Kittle is day-to-day with a foot sprain. The 49ers also played the first six games of the season 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.