The San Francisco 49ers are concerned that Brandon Aiyuk may have suffered an ACL injury during their 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, head coach Kyle Shanahan shared after the game.
While the ACL injury hasn’t been confirmed yet, the team expects to have a clearer picture on Monday after some tests are done.
Aiyuk got hurt just before halftime during a 15-yard catch when Chiefs’ defensive back Chamarri Conner made a tackle that caused Aiyuk’s knee to bend awkwardly. He stayed down for several minutes, receiving medical attention, before heading to the sideline and eventually being taken to the locker room on a cart. At that point, Aiyuk had already recorded 23 yards on two catches.
The 49ers officially ruled him out for the rest of the game during the third quarter, in the middle of a drive that brought them within two points of the Chiefs (14-12). Shortly after, wide receiver Deebo Samuel was also ruled out, having played only three snaps due to an illness.
Losing both Aiyuk and Samuel was tough for the 49ers, and Kansas City eventually widened their lead. Despite this, tight end George Kittle stepped up, finishing with a team-high 92 receiving yards on six catches, while rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing made his first two career catches, contributing 50 yards.
The loss drops San Francisco to a 3-4 record, with the season looking a bit shaky. If Aiyuk, who has had a slow start this season with 25 catches for 371 yards, is out for an extended period, it will make it even harder for the team to turn things around. Up next, the 49ers will face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 8.
