Not much went right for the 49ers on Sunday.
Their faint playoff hopes were all but dashed with the 23-15 loss to the Washington Football Team. Top linebacker Fred Warner and wide receiver Deebo Samuel had to leave the game due to injuries. Quarterback Nick Mullens looked like a deer in the headlights.
But at least receiver Brandon Aiyuk set new career highs with 10 catches and 119 yards, solidifying his already stellar rookie season.
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Aiyuk’s playmaking potential was evident early in the year, but he’s emerged as the 49ers' most consistent and productive receiver. The 22-year-old Arizona State product has averaged 7.2 receptions and 99 yards over his last five games, totaling three touchdowns over that span.
Listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, the shifty Aiyuk isn’t going to bowl people over once he gets the ball in his hands. But he’s shown no problem running routes over the middle and catching the ball in heavy traffic, like he did repeatedly against the WFT defense on Sunday.
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Last week he showed off his explosive ability with an acrobatic 49-yard catch vs. the Buffalo Bills. This Sunday, Aiyuk served as a reliable possession receiver, commanding a career-high 16 targets on Mullens’ 45 attempts.
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Aiyuk, the No. 25 overall pick in the 2020 draft, is making general manager John Lynch look like a smart man while establishing himself at a crucial time as Samuel’s health outlook is uncertain.