It looks like the 49ers have had enough of their players spending more time on the treatment table than the gridiron. Days after trading Deebo Samuel to the Commanders for peanuts (fifth-round pick), suddenly the conversation shifted to Brandon Aiyuk. There’s a growing possibility the 49ers are also looking to cash in on Aiyuk while he still has some value. Of course, there aren’t many suitors who would like to take a receiver coming off an ACL. After today’s update by an NFL doctor, whatever the window was for the 49ers to trade Aiyuk, it will now be closed.

Hearing the 49ers are interested in trading Aiyuk from NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Jesse Morse gave a detailed breakdown of why 31 franchises who are looking to trade for Aiyuk should stay away from him at all costs. He used the word “Awful” to describe how WRs fare in their 1st year after ACL reconstruction. Actually, that wasn’t the only thing he said. Morse backed his statements with statistical data and a thorough analysis of previous receivers who had gone through similar experience.

On his tweet, he wrote, “Out of 18 different WRs that tore their ACL and returned since 2020, only one of them was actually productive.” And that only player is apparently Chris Godwin. Bucs veteran receiver played 15 games after returning from his ACL, racking in 104 receptions for 1,023 yards. But hold on! Morse also pointed out that he had Tom Brady as his QB at that time. Brady threw a staggering 142 passes to Godwin, out of which he caught 104. So, Godwin had the GOAT to help him out after he returned from ACL. However, none of the other receivers were as fortunate as Chris.

Take, for instance, Odell Beckham Jr., he suffered not one but two ACL injuries in his career. His first one came with the Browns, where he returned to play just 14 games, catching 44 passes for 536 yards. Then his next ACL setback came while playing for the Rams in the Super Bowl LVI. OBJ couldn’t finish the game, but the Rams still won Super Bowl LVI without him. However, he never got to play another game for them in 2022. He spent that whole off-season recovering from his ACL. But none of the teams took a gamble on him. So, the final decision, of course, lies in the hands of the franchises looking to trade for Aiyuk. Whether they are willing to take the risk or not.

Interestingly, the 49ers painted a different picture of Brandon Aiyuk’s ACL recovery. Their GM John Lynch believes there’s nothing to worry about regarding his star receiver’s return from ACL.

John Lynch wants the Niners Nation to remain optimistic on Brandon Aiyuk’s return

Prior to Aiyuk’s 2024 horrors, the Arizona State product had a second-team All-Pro year. Playing in all 16 games, Aiyuk caught 75 of his catches for 1,342 yards and 7 TDs. Then, after an offseason full of drama and hold-in, Aiyuk also received a mammoth 4-year, $120M extension. However, in week 7 against the Chiefs Aiyuk’s career flashed in front of his eyes. He tore both his ACL and MCL, which has a recovery period of not more than 11 months.

But it seems the 49ers GM Lynch has teased that Aiyuk may not even take that long to recover. Speaking from the NFL combine, Lynch stated, “He’s doing well. I know that anecdotally, he’s doing well. Our trainers who have been with him say he’s doing very well. He’s putting in the work, that’s what you have to do. And like I’ve always said, the real top end athletes tend to heal at a little faster rate and I think that’s going on with Brandon as well.” See, the Niners will surely be praying that whatever Lynch said about comes true. Because if not, then it could be yet another season of misery at the Bay Area.

With the trade of Samuel and Aiyuk injured, the 49ers only have Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing. Each of them has yet to prove themselves handy as explosive receivers. So, don’t be surprised if the 49ers do end up picking a receiver with their No.11 pick in this year’s draft. Otherwise, Brock Purdy could feel a bit isolated once the new NFL season kicks off.