San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a serious injury during the team’s heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. While the exact scope of the injury is not yet confirmed, early testing suggests the star wide receiver tore his ACL. This is devastating for Aiyuk, but the injury dramatically impacts the team as well. Now 3-4 and one game behind the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West, the 49ers must turn their season around without one of their most reliable playmakers.
#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk is feared to have torn his ACL, per head coach Kyle Shanahan.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 20, 2024
Even without Aiyuk, the 49ers have a talented group of pass-catchers headlined by George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and first-round pick Ricky Pearsall. However, given Kittle and Samuel’s extensive injury history and Pearsall’s inexperience, the 49ers could use a proven option to step up with Brandon Aiyuk gone. Seeing as Davante Adams and Amari Cooper already found new homes, the best name on the market could be Diontae Johnson. While he’d be a great fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, the 49ers won’t be the only team trying to add him. If San Francisco wants to add him into the mix, they’ll need to outbid the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.
Desperate 49ers Could Trade For Diontae Johnson After Brandon Aiyuk Injury
The Kansas City Chiefs are the NFL’s last remaining undefeated team, but their offense isn’t playing up to its usual standards. Through six games, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (six), which is unheard of for a player like him. While TD:INT ratio isn’t always the most accurate way of accessing quarterback play, every metric out there agrees that Mahomes has not played like his usual MVP self. Unless he somehow forgot how to throw a football, this lack of success likely comes down to his supporting cast.
With Rashee Rice and free agent signee Marquise Brown sidelined indefinitely, Mahomes has placed his trust in first-round pick Xavier Worthy and the aging Travis Kelce. While these two aren’t active liabilities by any stretch of the imagination, the two-time NFL MVP could use a more consistent receiver. Diontae Johnson is the last great one left on the market, and the Chiefs should move heaven and Earth to get him. The Brandon Aiyuk injury adds another bidder into the mix, so Kansas City must seal a deal before Johnson’s price starts to rise.
Herbert By Himself
The Los Angeles Chargers entered the 2024 season with arguably the NFL’s weakest group of wide receivers. Their shallow depth took a hit in Week 6, and both Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston suffered injuries. Now 3-2 ahead of their Monday Night Football matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, this team must add some receiving talent if they want to be a legitimate threat in the AFC. While Mike Williams seems to be the most likely trade target, Diontae Johnson is a better player who should dramatically improve the passing attack once he develops a rapport with Herbert.
Diontae Johnson is no Brandon Aiyuk, but he’d upgrade the 49ers depth chart after the injury. While he’d only be the second or third-best receiver in San Francisco, he’d easily be the best receiver in Los Angeles. The 49ers need might be newer, but the Chargers is greater. Only time will tell who wins that bidding war, but Los Angeles must do something to improve their receiver room.
Main Photo: Cary Edmondson – USA Today Sports
