The Athletic's David Lombardi said on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday that he doesn't "think it's likely that the San Francisco 49ers are gonna trade Brandon Aiyuk." However, he also said "it's something that they're not saying a firm no to, though." The new contract that Aiyuk signed before last season wouldn't necessarily be a deterrent to a trade as much as the fact that he tore his ACL and MCL last season. If a team wanted to trade for the 26-year-old former first-rounder, they'd be inheriting him at four years and $110 million. Aiyuk also has a $20 million guarantee that kicks in on April 1, so it gives San Fran a little extra time to try and find a trade partner, despite just recently dealing Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Commanders. Before Aiyuk's injury, he didn't look good with 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games. Depending on his recovery from his major knee injury, Aiyuk could be a rebound candidate in fantasy if he stays with the Niners now that Samuel is out of town.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday that the San Francisco 49ers are open to trading both wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Deebo Samuel Sr. The 49ers already traded Samuel to the Washington Commanders on Saturday in exchange for a fifth-round pick, so it's unclear if San Fran is still open to dealing Aiyuk. The 26-year-old suffered a torn ACL last October and reportedly turned down a trade to the Patriots last offseason due to their quarterback situation. It's uncertain if the Patriots would want Aiyuk now after his torn ACL, although Aiyuk could be more open to joining New England after QB Drake Maye's intriguing rookie season. Aiyuk could be ready for the start of the 2025 season, but it's not guaranteed, especially after he also suffered damage to his MCL in the Week 7 loss to the Chiefs. Aiyuk would certainly give Maye a bonafide No. 1 wideout in his second NFL season, though. Stay tuned.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) could be ready for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, though his status is uncertain for now. The 26-year-old suffered a torn ACL and MCL in October of last season, so the recovery timeline makes it realistic for him to be ready for the start of the new campaign. Following a 1,400-yard receiving season in 2023, the 49ers signed Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million contract. Unfortunately, he could only produce 25 receptions for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games in 2024. That said, Aiyuk could be a value pick in fantasy football coming off the injury, especially since Deebo Samuel appears to finally be on the way out of San Francisco via trade at some point this offseason.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) had surgery on his right knee earlier this week to fix a torn ACL and other damage. In addition to tearing his ACL, Aiyuk also tore his MCL in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and will miss the rest of the season. He should have already been dropped in single-season fantasy leagues. It remains to be seen if the 26-year-old will make enough progress in his rehab in the offseason in order to be ready to play in Week 1 of the 2025 regular season next fall. For the rest of 2024, receivers Deebo Samuel Sr. and Jauan Jennings and tight end George Kittle should be the most-targeted pass-catchers, with rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall also seeing an expanded role in the passing attack. Aiyuk was an absolute fantasy bust this year, finishing with 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) was officially placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 26-year-old suffered a torn ACL and MCL in last Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. As a result, Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness), Jauan Jennings (hip) and rookie Ricky Pearsall are expected to lead the wide receiver room for the remainder of the season. However, Samuel left last game early due to pneumonia and is in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, which could open up a larger role for Jennings, Pearsall and rookie Jacob Cowing. Fantasy managers looking to add a receiver with upside for high volume should check their waiver wire for both Jennings and Pearsall, as they should have a profound role in the offense going forward.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is out for the rest of the 2024 season after tearing both his right ACL and MCL in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. An MRI exam on Monday morning confirmed the team's fears of a season-ending injury to one of their top wideouts. Aiyuk had a notable offseason saga with the Niners when they couldn't come to an agreement on a long-term contract extension until Aug. 29, when they signed him to a four-year, $120 million deal. The former first-rounder was a complete bust this year in fantasy, catching only 25 passes for 374 yards and no TDs in his seven games. With Deebo Samuel Sr. dealing with pneumonia, Jauan Jennings (hip) suddenly will become a hot waiver-wire pickup this week, as well as rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall in deeper leagues.
Tests confirmed on Monday that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to sources. Aiyuk got sandwiched between two defenders during a hard collision on Sunday, with one hit going low and bending his knee backward in ugly fashion on Sunday. The 49ers feared a torn ACL, which could make it difficult for the 26-year-old to be ready for the start of the 2025 season. Jauan Jennings (hip) was out with an injury on Sunday, and Deebo Samuel Sr. only played three snaps due to illness, leaving tight end George Kittle to lead a decimated wideout corps that featured rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing catching their first NFL passes. Jennings, who could return in Week 8, should be a top waiver-wire priority this week with Aiyuk done for the rest of the season.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) exited Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after taking a hit to the knee in the first half. He was carted off the field before eventually being ruled out. Unfortunately, head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated that there is concern the wideout suffered an ACL tear. Aiyuk will likely undergo further testing, but it will take a miracle for him to be on the field for Sunday night's clash with the Dallas Cowboys. With Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness) and Jauan Jennings (hip) also uncertain for that one, George Kittle, Jacob Cowing, and Ricky Pearsall could see an uptick in attention from Brock Purdy.
Brandon Aiyuk Carted To The Locker Room, Won't Return On Sunday
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) was carted to the locker room after the first half of Sunday's matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. He won't return. The wideout took a shot to his right leg in the first half, and it was apparent immediately that he was hurt. He'll finish the day with two catches for 23 yards. With Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness) under the weather and Jauan Jennings (hip) ruled out before the contest, the 49ers may need to rely on George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall, and Jacob Cowing for the remainder of Week 7.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will look for his first touchdown of the season when the team hosts the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7. So far, Aiyuk has disappointed fantasy managers, to say the least. In Week 5 versus Arizona, Aiyuk popped for eight catches on 12 targets for 147 yards but has failed to reach eight half-PPR points in each of his other five games. As one searches for an explanation, it's worth considering whether the absence of Christian McCaffrey is allowing defenses to play back more often, affecting Aiyuk's ability to get open deep. Whatever the cause, it's time to make Aiyuk prove he's back before considering him a WR1 or even a WR2. Kansas City represents the seventh-toughest matchup for fantasy wide receivers in Yahoo default scoring. Given the slump and matchup, to call Aiyuk a WR2 this week is probably generous.
Brandon Aiyuk
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