The hits just keep on coming for the San Francisco 49ers.
The team lost receiver Brandon Aiyuk in Sunday’s 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs to a torn ACL and MCL, and the number of players on San Francisco’s injury list is now creeping into the mid-teens.
Aiyuk is just the latest All-Pro player to be sidelined for a significant amount of time due to a serious injury this season, joining running back Christian McCaffrey, who hasn’t played yet this season, and Talanoa Hufanga, who played in two games but was placed on injured reserve two weeks ago with a wrist injury.
Fellow star receiver Deebo Samuel recently diagnosed with pneumonia, putting his status in question for the next couple of weeks. Down two of their top pass-catchers, it’s clear the 49ers need to do something to bolster their wide receiver room, which is why Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports recently pitched a trade proposal that has San Francisco acquiring Pro Bowler Dionate Johnson from the Carolina Panthers.
“Couple [Aiyuk’s] latest injury with running back Christian McCaffrey still sidelined, along with pass catchers Deebo Samuel and George Kittle getting dinged up at times this season, and San Francisco could use a jolt on offense,” Sullivan wrote. “They are firmly in a Super Bowl window, so general manager John Lynch should be doing everything in his power to maximize this 2024 club. That now includes adding another receiver like Johnson to steady the ship for Brock Purdy.”
Acquired in an offseason trade along with a seventh-round pick in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-rounder, Johnson has been far and away the Panthers’ best receiver.
He leads the team in receptions (30), targets (58), yards (357) and touchdowns (3), and ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in targets (eighth), the top 25 in receptions (24th) and the top 30 in yards (27th).
Without adding a big-name replacement for Aiyuk, the 49ers are down to their No. 3, 4 and 5 receivers, assuming Jauan Jennings is healthy enough to return from a hip injury this week against the Dallas Cowboys.
While rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing both have shown some promise, they have a combined five catches for 71 yards in seven games. Adding a player of Johnson’s caliber would give Brock Purdy a legitimate weapon in the pass game to hold down the fort until Samuel is healthy enough for a full-time role again.
