The San Francisco 49ers' worst fears were confirmed on Monday when tests revealed that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a season-ending knee injury during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL, and reports suggest the damage may extend beyond those injuries.
RELATED Brandon Aiyuk suffered torn ACL and MCL, possibly other damage
While head coach Kyle Shanahan didn't have full details on the extent of the damage, he confirmed the ACL and MCL injuries.
"I talked with him last night, just calling him at his house," Shanahan said during a Monday conference call. "I haven't seen him today, but he was hurt and just bummed out, exactly how you'd expect. But B.A.'s a strong dude and spiritual guy, and believes everything happens for a reason, so he'll be all right.
"But definitely a little down last night. And I was just telling him how bad I felt for him, and just let him know we're all here for him through this."
The loss of Aiyuk is a massive setback for the 49ers' receiving corps, which was already without Jauan Jennings on Sunday due to a hip injury. While Shanahan is hopeful Jennings will return this week, Deebo Samuel's status remains uncertain after he played just a few snaps due to illness.
Shanahan revealed that Samuel is currently in the hospital.
"Deebo Samuel, he had kind of an odd illness, some fluid in his lungs, so technically, pneumonia," the coach explained.
On Monday, former NFL safety and NBC Sports Bay Area analyst Donte Whitner suggested that general manager John Lynch explore trade options for a veteran wide receiver—specifically DeAndre Hopkins of the Tennessee Titans. Whitner believes Lynch and the 49ers should act quickly, ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs, to secure Hopkins.
"With 79 touchdown grabs in his career, he instantly upgrades the 49ers offense in the red zone," Whitner said, "and he gives [QB] Brock Purdy a downfield threat, an experienced wide receiver that's good after the catch. And he instantly gives the 49ers wide receiver room a veteran leader and playmaker, something that they'll definitely need to go on a run and make this playoff push."
Hopkins has 15 receptions for 173 yards and one touchdown so far this season. Last year, he posted 1,057 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, marking the seventh time in his career he's surpassed the 1,000-yard milestone.
The 49ers have dropped to 3-4 this season, and a loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday would be devastating for their playoff chances.
Shanahan was asked if Aiyuk's injury might push the 49ers toward a trade before the November 5 deadline.
"Well, it makes you look into everything," Shanahan responded. "We try to look into everything regardless. Obviously, with more issues that came up yesterday, you still want to look into everything, but it has to do with what options are out there with stuff that we can pull off that doesn't totally hurt us, that helps us now, and doesn't hurt us for the future. There's lots of decisions that go into it."
Discussions will take place in the coming weeks, and whether any moves will materialize remains to be seen. However, Shanahan cautioned that a blockbuster trade doesn't always solve all problems.
"Those answers aren't always out there," Shanahan continued. "You've got to be ready to get people better in your building and deal with what you've got in your building. And if you ever find something that makes sense, we will never hesitate on it, but it's not always available like you hope it is."
