"I talked with him last night, just calling him at his house," Shanahan said on Monday. "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."
Samuel shared a heartfelt message for his teammate on Instagram, promising to give his all for him on the field.
"Know I'm [going to] lay it all on the line for you brother!!! This one hurt [for real]," Samuel wrote (h/t Joaquin Ruiz of NBC Sports Bay Area for the find).
Samuel and Aiyuk have an evident bond. The duo even occasionally spoke to the media together during press conferences. The 49ers selected Samuel in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and drafted Aiyuk in the first round (25th overall) the following year.
Aiyuk signed a contract extension just before the season began, making him one of the NFL's highest-paid receivers. He recorded 25 receptions for 374 yards before going down in the first half against the Chiefs.
In dealing with his own setback, Samuel was limited to just a few snaps on Sunday due to an illness. The severity wasn't known until Shanahan revealed that Samuel had been hospitalized with fluid in his lungs, battling pneumonia.
"It started acting up in the middle of the night, Saturday night, or early Sunday morning, and then it just kind of evolved as the day went," Shanahan explained. "So, once we found out he had the fluid in his lungs and stuff after the game, then I believe they sent him over there. I'm not sure the timeline of it, but I just found out that's where he was on Sunday night when I was at home."
The 49ers have been hit hard by injuries this season. Star running back Christian McCaffrey has yet to play due to bilateral Achilles tendinitis. Joining him on injured reserve are offensive lineman Jon Feliciano, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, safety Talanoa Hufanga, running back Elijah Mitchell, linebacker Curtis Robinson, cornerback Ambry Thomas, and kicker Matthew Wright.
Additionally, wide receiver Jauan Jennings missed Sunday's game with a hip injury, though Shanahan is optimistic he could return this week.
The 49ers dropped to 3-4 after Sunday's loss and aim to bounce back this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Whether Deebo Samuel will be healthy enough to play in the prime-time matchup remains to be seen.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Dolphins request interview with 49ers' Robert Saleh for head coaching vacancy
The list of NFL teams interested in interviewing San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for their head coaching vacancies continues to grow. According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Miami Dolphins have requested an interview with Saleh, becoming the... -
49ers open as road underdogs vs. Eagles in Wild Card round
Opening the NFL playoffs on the road—especially in Philadelphia—is no easy assignment. Oddsmakers have the San Francisco 49ers listed as 3.5-point underdogs (over/under of 46) in their Wild Card matchup against the Eagles, according to BetMGM. The 49ers put themselves in... -
Dolphins request interviews with three 49ers executives for GM opening
The Miami Dolphins are searching for a new general manager and have requested interviews with three San Francisco 49ers executives serving under general manager John Lynch: vice president of player personnel Tariq Ahmad, director of scouting and football operations Josh... -
San Francisco 49ers opponents for 2026 season announced
The 2026 opponents for the San Francisco 49ers have been announced. The 49ers finished third in the NFC West and will play a third-place schedule next season. The 49ers will have nine home games and will go on the road eight times. Here are the 2026 opponents: Home Las Vegas...