Things weren’t looking good for Aiyuk after he needed to be carted off the field, and Shanahan reiterated following the game that the fear is that the 49ers’ top pass catcher could have a season-ending knee injury. The unfortunate development comes on the heels of Aiyuk signing a monster four-year, $120M extension just days before the beginning of the season and after a contentious, season-long holdout to earn said contract. It’s an unceremonious end to a disappointing season for Aiyuk, who will likely finish the first season of his mega deal with just 25 catches and 374 scoreless yards. Without Aiyuk in the lineup, WR Deebo Samuel was able to rack up extra volume - oh wait, that’s right: Deebo Samuel was a surprise inactive yesterday, as well, leading the 49ers to lean on rookie WRs Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing against the vaunted Chiefs defense. That went just about as well as you’d expect it to (no disrespect to Pearsall and Cowing, of course), with QB Brock Purdy floundering to a 3 INT performance. While Aiyuk is out, expect Deebo Samuel and George Kittle to dominate the top of what will likely be a top-heavy target distribution. Aiyuk’s absence takes the guesswork out of starting him for the rest of the season, and we hope for a speedy recovery for one of the league’s top wideouts.