PUPBrandon Aiyuk
WR SF (14)
Wed 11/4/20 7:42 PM

The 49ers placed Aiyuk (not injury related) on the reserve/ COVID-19 list Wednesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
And the hits keep coming for the 49ers, who placed Kendrick Bourne on the COVID-19 list earlier Wednesday due to a positive test result. Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel (hamstring) have been deemed to be high-risk close contacts of Bourne, meaning they'll be sidelined Thursday against the Packers. With the trio unavailable, San Francisco may be down to just two available wide receivers -- Trent Taylor and Richie James -- but the latter player is questionable to play himself due to an ankle injury.

PUPBrandon Aiyuk
WR SF (14)
Sun 11/1/20 11:29 PM

Aiyuk recorded eight receptions on 11 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown in Week 8 against the Seahawks.
EDGE Analysis
Aiyuk followed up his breakout performance in Week 7 with another strong effort to lead the team in targets and yards. A significant portion of his production came with Nick Mullens under center during the fourth quarter, including a leaping catch for 33 yards down the middle of the field. On the team's next drive, Aiyuk hauled in a pass from three yards away for a touchdown in the corner of the end zone. Aiyuk could be in for a significant number of targets again in Week 9 against Green Bay on Thursday, as Deebo Samuel (hamstring) could remain out and George Kittle (ankle) will have to recover in short order to be available.

PUPBrandon Aiyuk
WR SF (14)
Sun 10/25/20 9:25 PM

Aiyuk caught six of seven targets for 115 yards during Sunday's 33-6 win over the Patriots.
EDGE Analysis
Aiyuk led the team in targets and receptions while posting the highest yardage total of his young career. He broke off a season-long gain of 35 yards and made several other splashy plays against a notoriously tough Patriots secondary. Aiyuk's production has varied from week to week this season, but it's clear he has the ability to be a difference-maker in the 49ers offense . He'll have a good chance to add to his numbers next Sunday against a beatable Seattle secondary.

PUPBrandon Aiyuk
WR SF (14)
Mon 10/19/20 2:18 AM

Aiyuk had two receptions (three targets) for 11 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-16 win over the Rams.
EDGE Analysis
Aiyuk was having a quiet night until Jimmy Garoppolo dialed him up from the red zone for what turned out to be the deciding score. It was the 22-year-old's first receiving touchdown of his career, but it was his third overall this season (previous two were rushing scores). This game was significant because it was the first time we saw a normal game script with the 49ers' offense operating at full strength. Despite getting into the end zone, the two receptions and three targets are concerning moving forward. Aiyuk has flashed his playmaking ability both before and after the catch, so there is definitely fantasy potential here. That said, with George Kittle and Deebo Samuel clearly ahead of him in the target pecking order, we may see some ups and downs from Aiyuk during his rookie campaign. Up next is a matchup against the Patriots on Sunday, who are tougher against opposing receivers compared to the run.

PUPBrandon Aiyuk
WR SF (14)
Mon 10/12/20 3:33 PM

Aiyuk had three receptions (six targets) for 44 yards in Sunday's 43-17 loss to the Dolphins.
EDGE Analysis
The 49ers' quarterback play was atrocious in this one, so it is hard to place blame on Aiyuk for the pedestrian stat line. In fact, he tied George Kittle for the team lead in receiving yards in a forgettable game all around. The notable stat for the talented rookie was the playing time, as he led all San Francisco wideouts with a whopping 97 percent of offensive snaps. He was followed closely by Deebo Samuel (89 percent), and it appears the two YAC monsters will be co-starters for the foreseeable future. The 49ers have a brutal stretch of games ahead, beginning with a matchup against the Rams on Sunday Night Football, but the tough schedule could result in some favorable game scripts for passing the ball.

PUPBrandon Aiyuk
WR SF (14)
Mon 10/5/20 2:03 AM

Aiyuk had two receptions (five targets) for 18 yards, but did most of his damage on a 38-yard touchdown run in a loss to the Eagles on Sunday.
EDGE Analysis
Aiyuk remained in the starting lineup as Deebo Samuel (foot) was eased back into action. The dynamic rookie put his after-the-catch skills on display when he took a backwards pass behind the line of scrimmage and bounced off of two tackles before hurdling a diving defender and landing in the end zone. It was a highlight-reel play that flashed the potential Aiyuk has to rip off a big play at any moment. It is unclear if the Arizona State product will remain a starter against the Dolphins on Sunday now that the receiver he was replacing (Samuel) is back in the fold. Either way, Aiyuk proved that he doesn't need a ton of touches -- or receptions for that matter -- to make an impact on the scoreboard.

PUPBrandon Aiyuk
WR SF (14)
Sun 9/27/20 4:56 PM

Aiyuk brought in five of eight targets for 70 yards and rushed three times for 31 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers' 36-9 win over the Giants on Sunday.
EDGE Analysis
The rookie made a splash in his second NFL game, pacing the team in receptions, receiving yards and targets while also notching a 19-yard scoring rush late in the third quarter to give the 49ers key breathing room by extending the lead to 23-9. Aiyuk had generated a modest 2-21-0 line back in his Week 2 debut, but if Nick Mullens is forced to log another start in place of Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) in a Week 4 Sunday night matchup against the Eagles, the chemistry the duo demonstrated Week 3 provides reason for optimism from a fantasy perspective.

PUPBrandon Aiyuk
WR SF (14)
Tue 9/22/20 4:35 PM

Aiyuk caught two of three targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 31-13 win over the Jets.
EDGE Analysis
Aiyuk had a minimal impact in his NFL debut, as just two 49ers receivers were afforded more than three targets. It's a bit disappointing for the first-round pick, but now that he's healthy, he should be able to carve out an increased role. Deebo Samuel could return in Week 4, though, so Aiyuk will look to establish himself this Sunday against the Giants. However, it may be Nick Mullens under center if Jimmy Garoppolo isn't recovered from a high-ankle sprain.

PUPBrandon Aiyuk
WR SF (14)
Wed 9/16/20 7:54 PM

Aiyuk (hamstring) wasn't listed on the 49ers' injury report Wednesday.
EDGE Analysis
Aiyuk missed his first potential game as a professional this past Sunday, but the 2020 first-round pick now is poised to make his debut this weekend against the Jets. With the hamstring injury behind him, he may serve as one of Jimmy Garoppolo's top receivers right away. Not only is Deebo Samuel (foot) on injured reserve, but stud tight end George Kittle is tending to a sprained left knee. Currently, Kendrick Bourne, Aiyuk, Trent Taylor, Dante Pettis and newcomer Mohamed Sanu are the healthy wide receivers on the 49ers' roster.

PUPBrandon Aiyuk
WR SF (14)
Mon 9/14/20 7:16 PM

Coach Kyle Shanahan believes Aiyuk (hamstring) will return for Sunday's road game versus the Jets, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Aiyuk tweaked his left hamstring on Aug. 23 and was diagnosed with a mild strain that extended into Week 1 prep. After putting in a DNP/LP/LP practice regimen last week, he received a questionable tag but eventually was inactive this past Sunday against the Cardinals. His activity level at Wednesday's practice could be the first sign that active status is likely Week 2, but ultimately his availability could come down to the wire again. If he's able to return, Aiyuk likely would be one of the 49ers' top wide receivers due to the injuries that are littering the group, namely Deebo Samuel (IR, foot), Jalen Hurd (IR, torn ACL) and Richie James (hamstring).