Report: 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk out for season with torn ACL, MCL in loss to Chiefs

Brandon Aiyuk’s season is over.

The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver suffered a season-ending knee injury. their 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sundaytests confirmed Monday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Aiyuk has a torn ACL and MCL, and there could be further damage to his knee. He will have surgery soon.

Aiyuk caught a pass in the middle of the field late in the first half of Sunday’s game at Levi’s Stadium, but his knee buckled sharply when he was hit and knocked down. Ayiuk remained on the field for some time before finally walking away and towards the medical tent. He was eventually taken to the locker room and kicked out of the game.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that the team was concerned he might have suffered an ACL injury.

Aiyuk held out for most of the offseason and preseason this fall while seeking a new long-term contract with the organization. He ultimately signed a four-year, $120 million contract to stay in San Francisco.

Aiyuk would finish the season with 374 yards and no touchdowns on 25 catches. All of those numbers are career lows for the 26-year-old, who the 49ers first selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Arizona State. Aiyuk rushed for a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns last season while leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl.

Aiyuk’s injury is just the latest the 49ers offense has already faced this season. Star running back Christian McCaffrey still hasn’t seen the field due to a calf and Achilles injury, and Deebo Samuel appeared in just a few snaps Sunday before leaving the game with an illness. Rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall made his NFL debut in Sunday’s loss after missing the first six games of the year after also being shot in the chest earlier this fall.

The 49ers dropped to 3-4 on the season after Sunday’s loss. They will host the Dallas Cowboys next week.