NFL Rumors: 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk out for season; Injury diagnosed as cruciate ligament tear, cruciate ligament tear | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

For the San Francisco 49ers, their worst fears were confirmed on Monday.

According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, tests revealed that 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a season-ending knee injury in Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. It was initially feared that he had torn his cruciate ligament, said head coach Kyle Shanahan after the game. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Aiyuk actually tore both his ACL and ACL.

Aiyuk's teammate Deebo Samuel posted a message for him on Instagram after his diagnosis was announced:

The season-ending injury came after a tumultuous summer in which Aiyuk sat out the entire training camp because of his desire for a new contract. He was rumored to be close to being traded before finally agreeing to a deal four years, $120 million Contract extension that made him one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL.

By losing Aiyuk for the remainder of the year, the 49ers will be without another key offensive player. San Francisco was without star running back Christian McCaffrey for the entire 2024 season due to bilateral Achilles tendonitis.

Without Aiyuk, the 49ers will rely on Samuel and tight end George Kittle to lead the passing attack. However, Shanahan said Monday that Samuel was hospitalized with fluid in his lungs. Rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who was shot in the chest during a suspected robbery last summer, made his NFL debut in Sunday's game.

After falling to 3-4 with a loss to Kansas City, San Francisco will look to bounce back when it takes on the Dallas Cowboys (3-3). Football on Sunday evenings.