During Sunday’s press conference, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan assumed wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk had suffered a torn ACL: “So that’s what we’re concerned about. That’s what it looks like, but we’ve been wrong before. So we pray for that.”

Multiple national reporters have confirmed that Aiyuk’s anterior cruciate ligament and anterior cruciate ligament are torn and that there may be further damage. Aiyuk was the focal point of the 49ers’ passing offense and helped lead Brock Purdy and the Niners to new heights. Aiyuk, fresh off an All-Pro season, will want to come back stronger than ever in 2025.

While the news is expected, it’s still unfortunate and a reminder of how small the window is to win in the NFL. Over the years, San Francisco came close to winning a Super Bowl but always fell short.

This injury feels like the one that will hit the Niners in their 2024 season. The offense will get Christian McCaffrey back at some point, probably sooner rather than later, but the injuries have piled up to the point where they may be insurmountable.

A lot is written about Aiyuk’s stats this season, but that ignores how opposing defenses played him. The same people who didn’t like how Aiyuk handled this offseason will use this injury to say, “I told you so,” but that’s not how football works.

Aiyuk was the epitome of player development and was rewarded for his achievements. His career is far from over and he still has a long way to go.

It’s a trade, which means the 49ers will be looking for a replacement. They may already be in the squad. Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing will play bigger roles in the future. The Niners could also explore potential trade targets on the market.