Tag: Brandon Aiyuk

Who is newest Commander, K.J. Osborn?

Getting to know new Commanders WR K.J. Osborn.

The Commanders, having lost their third and fourth leading receivers to injury, signed receiver K.J. Osborn on Wednesday.

Osborn was available because the New England Patriots released him just one day earlier. After playing his first four NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Osborn had signed a one-year deal with the Patriots as a free agent.

Playing in only seven games, Osborn had a very unfulfilling season with the Patriots. He only caught seven receptions for 57 yards and one touchdown, averaging 8.1 yards per catch.

However, with Noah Brown and Austin Ekeler missing from Jayden Daniels’ toolbox, Commanders general manager Adam Peters wasted no time. Choosing not to simply wait and see if Jamison Crowder could make it back to health, Peters went outside the team to look for an answer.

Osborn played college ball at Buffalo and then the Miami Hurricanes. He was drafted in the fifth round (176th overall) of the 2020 NFL draft.

The Commanders really need help, and Peters and Dan Quinn are hoping Osborn can be a quick fix. He seems to have been a good teammate and locker-room guy in New England.

After releasing Osborn, Pats Coach Jarod Mayo offered this: “It was a mutual thing,” said Mayo. “Even when he was inactive, he was just a great professional, a great person, and a great leader. It just didn’t work out, and we decided to part ways.”

Osborn has also proven himself to be both courageous and unselfish. A couple of years ago, visiting friends in Austin, TX, Osborn, a passenger in an Uber, pulled over to the side of the road to assist and pull a driver out of his burning car.

Osborn is still only age 27, and with the exception of Crowder, he has more experience than the other Commanders receivers to whom the Commanders would be looking to step up in replacing Noah Brown.

In his last three seasons in Minnesota, Osborn caught 50, 60, and 48 passes for 655, 650, and 540 yards, respectively.

It is also worth noting that Osborn does have some NFL experience returning kickoffs and punts. It is not extensive, but he has returned 14 kickoffs and 11 punts.

Osborn was involved in a 2020 draft trade that saw the Vikings receive Jeff Gladney, Osborn, and D.J. Wonnum, while the 49ers received a draft pick that they used to select Brando Aiyuk.

Could Steelers meet the high asking price for latest WR trade target?

Insider Tony Pauline reported that while Pittsburgh is interested in trade target Courtland Sutton, there is a high asking price for the WR.

Another day, another Steelers WR trade rumor has broken the internet. However, something about this particular receiver trade feels different. Not only is the November 5 trade deadline less than a week away, but the trade target in question has history with Steelers QB Russell Wilson.

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton, Wilson’s former number one target in Denver, has been linked to Pittsburgh over the past few days. While Steelers fans would love for the team to add more offensive talent, others are growing frustrated with the persistent rumors and speculation that never materialize.

 

The San Francisco 49ers attempted to acquire Sutton during the Brandon Aiyuk trade drama, but Denver refused to deal the WR, resulting in Aiyuk staying in San Francisco.

Could the Broncos’ stubbornness, and high asking price, put a halt to Sutton and Wilson reuniting in Pittsburgh?  One concern remains certain, the Steelers need another dynamic WR in order to keep up with the rest of AFC.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers’ DT responds to trade rumors

It is safe to say that Steelers’ All-Pro DT Cameron Heyward isn’t a fan of the recent speculation and trade rumors surrounding Pittsburgh.

While fans around the NFL enjoy the rumors and speculation surrounding the approaching trade deadline, it’s safe to say one Steelers player isn’t a fan. Pittsburgh’s three-time First Team All-Pro DT, Cam Heyward, wants fans to focus on the players in the Steelers’ locker room rather than waste energy predicting who will go where. 

In last week’s episode of his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward, the defensive tackle shared his frustration with the ongoing trade speculations: “Every week, it’s ‘Who are we getting this week? Who are we getting this week?’” He added that the team “can’t keep worrying about shoulda, woulda, coulda.” Heyward’s powerful statements reflects his confidence in his teammates and what this roster is capable of achieving. 

He does make a valid point, as three major trade rumors involving the Steelers have come and gone without any new receivers to show for it. Should fans place more trust in the current Pittsburgh receiver room moving forward, instead of holding onto hope for another playmaker to be added by the trade deadline?

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Pittsburgh seemingly misses out on another All-Pro WR trade

Four potential WR trade targets have come and gone for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the Rams’ HC seemingly ended the Cooper Kupp trade hype.

From excitment to disappointment, what a difference a day makes. Head Coach Sean McVay crushed the hearts of Pittsburgh Steelers fans in the post-game press conference following Thursday Night Football’s matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams.

The most recent WR trade target on the Steelers’ radar was none other than 31-year-old All-Pro Cooper Kupp of the Rams. The superstar wideout had a solid outing on Thursday Night Football, and McVay took notice. While speaking to the media, the Rams head coach alluded to the trade rumors and practically dashed any hopes of the ‘Steel City’ acquiring the talented receiver.

 

Are fans placing too much pressure on the shoulders of General Manager Omar Khan and the Steelers’ front office?  Possibly, however, Khan should never have traded away the number one receiver in Pittsburgh, Diontae Johnson, without a proper backup plan in place.

Steelers’ RB Cordarrelle Patterson may end up being the last line of defense for recruiting a star player to Pittsburgh, and WR Mike Williams of the New York Jets could fit that bill.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Could son of 49ers legend help team replace Brandon Aiyuk?

The San Francisco 49ers can’t close any doors when maneuvering their roster to make up for Brandon Aiyuk’s season-ending knee injury.

Replacing wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk quickly shot up the San Francisco 49ers’ list of priorities when the 2023 All-Pro went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 7.

Aiyuk’s injury, which came just over two weeks before the NFL’s Nov. 5 trade deadline, may push San Francisco into action to acquire a WR on the trade market. There are a handful of options that make sense if that’s the route they want to take.

If they don’t take that route, there’s an intriguing name in the building who could make his way to the roster: undrafted rookie WR Terique Owens, who is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and 49ers legend Terrell Owens.

While the trade route seems to be the most logical one if the team is looking for a direct replacement for Aiyuk, head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday in a conference call told reporters the team will explore the trade market without putting all their eggs in that basket.

“Well, it makes you look into everything,” Shanahan said of Aiyuk’s injury. “We try to look into everything regardless. Obviously with more issues that came up yesterday, you still want to look into everything, but it has to do with what options are out there with stuff that we can pull off that doesn’t totally hurt us, that helps us now and doesn’t hurt us for the future. There’s lots of decisions that go into it. So, we’ll look into everything, but a lot of times that’s just kind of living in hope.”

If a trade doesn’t materialize, the 49ers are likely to simply push Jauan Jennings into a more prominent role while backfilling the WR3 snaps with rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing, and veterans Chris Conley and Ronnie Bell.

They may want to keep another WR on the roster for depth purposes even if they don’t need to replace Aiyuk on a snap-to-snap basis. And that’s where Owens emerges as an internal option. Shanahan said without a trade, they’ll rely on who they have in the building.

“Those answers aren’t always out there,” Shanahan said. “You’ve got to be ready to get people better in your building and deal with what you’ve got in your building. And if you ever find something that makes sense, we will never hesitate on it but it’s not always available like you hope it is.”

Owens is one of two wide receivers on the practice squad, along with veteran and former 49ers fifth-round pick Trent Taylor. Taylor has primarily been a punt returner over the last few seasons, which may open the door for Owens to step in and contribute on more special teams units.

There’s no guarantee either Taylor or Owens are promoted from the practice squad. San Francisco, when healthy, is still working with six receivers who have roles in the offense and on special teams. The likelihood a practice squad receiver is anything more than a special teams contributor is something south of miniscule.

With injuries to Conley, Jennings and Samuel entering Week 8, however, there’s a chance we could see Owens elevated from the practice squad when the 49ers host the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

49ers injury news underscores need for Christian McCaffrey return

The San Francisco 49ers have never needed Christian McCaffrey back more than they do now.

It isn’t news that running back and reigning Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey is a key cog in the 49ers’ offensive system.

It also isn’t news that his return should provide a substantial boost for a San Francisco offense that’s been struggling to find the end zone without him in 2024.

New developments coming out of the team’s Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs highlight just how important McCaffrey’s return will be for the 49ers.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday in a conference call with reporters confirmed that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL in Sunday’s loss. He also said tight end George Kittle is day-to-day with a foot sprain, and WR Jauan Jennings is still dealing with a hip injury that held him out of Week 7. WR Deebo Samuel is also hospitalized with pneumonia and his timetable for a return is unknown.

Shanahan also mentioned in his conference call that the team hopes to get McCaffrey back right after their Week 9 Bye.

Even if Kittle, Jennings and Samuel are all back by that Bye week, McCaffrey’s presence will be a massive help for the offense without Aiyuk in the lineup. Aiyuk is the only receiver the 49ers have who consistently separates against man coverage, and he’s a threat in all three levels of the passing game.

Having McCaffrey back will help Shanahan better manipulate defenders and open space for some of the other playmakers who made need some scheme assistance to get open and operate in the spaces they’re used to operating in.

There was never a point in the year where the 49ers weren’t going to need McCaffrey back, but their dire injury situation makes his return even more vital if San Francisco wants to make the playoffs and make noise when they get there.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Fantasy Football: 10 running backs to target on the waiver wire

Tyler Goodson and Ray Davis highlight this week’s list of running backs to target on the fantasy football waiver wire.

Several key injuries (and players returning from injuries) are shaking up the NFL — and fantasy football lineups — going into Week 8.

At quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa (27%) is expected to return after recovering from his concussion. In Cleveland, the Browns are expected to turn the offense over to Jameis Winston (1%) after losing Deshuan Watson to an Achilles injury. Drake Maye (14%) is also worth a look at QB.

At wide receiver, Jauan Jennings (46%) will be a popular target this week after the 49ers lost Brandon Aiyuk to a torn ACL. Elsewhere at the position, Romeo Doubs (37%) has turned heads with consecutive big games.

At tight end, Hunter Henry (28%) and Taysom Hill (21%) will be among the top targets to consider on the waiver wire ahead of Week 8.

Today, though, we’re focusing on the running back position. We’ve put together a quick list of ten running backs to consider on the fantasy football waiver wire this week.

Fantasy Football Running Back Waiver Wire Targets

1. RB Ray Davis (15%): Even with James Cook back in the lineup, Davis still got five carries and a target, turning those touches into 41 rushing yards and a touchdown and a one-yard reception. He won’t reach the end zone every week, but Davis offers flex value even when Cook is healthy.

2. RB Tyler Goodson (10%): It remains to be seen if Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will be able to return this week. In his absence on Sunday, it was Goodson, not Trey Sermon, who led the Colts’ backfield with 14 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown.

3. RB Alexander Mattison (43%): Mattison dominated the Raiders’ backfield on Sunday with 26 touches that he turned into 123 yards.

4. RB Jaylen Warren (46%): Najee Harris is still the guy in Pittsburgh, but Warren got 12 carries and three targets in Week 7. He’s worth flex consideration in a shared backfield.

5. RB Tyrone Tracy (48%): Even with Devin Singletary back in the lineup, Tracy remained a key part of New York’s offense. Game flow didn’t allow for much rushing from the Giants, but Tracy got one more carry (six to five) and two more targets (three to one) than Singletary on Sunday.

6. RB Sean Tucker (11%): Rachaad White is back and Bucky Irving remains the RB1b, but there’s still a role for Tucker in the backfield. He got five carries and two targets on Monday.

7. RB Kendre Miller (8%): The Saints weren’t able to get anything going against Denver’s defense on TNF, but Miller got six carries (compared to Alvin Kamara’s seven) and three targets (compared to Kamara’s seven). Kamara is obviously still the star in New Orleans, but Miller might have some standalone value going forward.

8. RB D’Ernest Johnson (15%): Tank Bigsby (69%) is dominating right now, but there’s still a role for Johnson. He got nine carries and four targets this week.

9. RB Trey Benson (18%): Benson is a claim-and-stash option in case James Conner is ever unavailable this season.

10. RB Blake Corum (18%): Similar to Benson, Corum is a valuable handcuff behind Kyren Williams.

Bonus RBs: Nick Chubb (83%), Tank Bigsby (69%), Jonathon Brooks (60%), Bucky Irving (66%) and Tyler Allgeier (54%) are already rostered in most leagues, but double check just to make sure they’re not still available in your league. 

Roster percentages for players listed in this article were sourced from ESPN. For more fantasy coverage, check out our fantasy football hub.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

49ers lose Brandon Aiyuk to torn ACL, MCL

Another star is lost by the 49ers. Brandon Aiyuk suffers knee injuries

The San Francisco 49ers have been ravaged by injuries in 2024. Monday brought news the team feared: WR Brandon Aiyuk is done for the year with a torn ACL and MCL.

The injuries happened in the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that left the preseason NFC favorites at 3-4.

Add this to the injury report, too, with the Dallas Cowboys up next: TE George Kittle has a sprained foot and is considered day to day.

And …


.

Around the NFL: 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL/MCL

Around the NFL: 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL/MCL

The Seattle Seahawks’ primary rivals, the San Francisco 49ers, might be the only other team in the league that can rival the injury concerns Seattle has dealt with this season. During Week 7, the 49ers lost 28-18 to the Kansas City Chiefs in their Super Bowl LVIII rematch. Their defeat dropped them out of first place in the NFC West.

However, a home game and a division lead were not the only things San Francisco lost.

On Monday, it was announced wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will be done for the season after suffering both a torn ACL and an MCL. Absolutely brutal timing for one of San Francisco’s best offensive weapons

During the offseason, Aiyuk and the 49ers were engaged in contract negotiation drama. The star receiver had even gone as far as to request a trade. However, cooler heads prevailed, and Aiyuk was granted a four-year extension worth $120 million, of which $76 million was guaranteed. As a strong proponent of supporting players to get paid, these injuries are exactly why players like Aiyuk fight for every penny they can get.

Despite the mega extension, Aiyuk’s production has not been there this year. Through seven weeks, Aiyuk had only 25 receptions for 374 yards and no touchdowns. Against the Seahawks, he only caught two passes for 37 yards.

Still, losing him is another blow to this otherwise high-powered 49ers offense that is already missing running back Christian McCaffrey.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

49ers fear bad news for WR Brandon Aiyuk knee injury

The 49ers star wide receiver was carted off the field near the end of the second quarter against the Chiefs.

With Jauan Jennings ruled out and Deebo Samuel dealing with an illness, the San Francisco 49ers lost another key pass catcher due to injury on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Before the end of the first half, Brandon Aiyuk was carted from the sideline to the locker room with an apparent leg injury. Before the start of the second half, the 49ers ruled Aiyuk for the remainder of the game.

Following the game, Kyle Shanahan told reporters that the 49ers are worried the start pass catcher has suffered an ACL injury. Shanahan said the ACL injury has yet to be confirmed.

Via @MaioccoNBCS on Twitter:

Prior to his injury, Aiyuk notched two receptions for 23 yards against the Chiefs. Through seven weeks, the Arizona State product has recorded 25 receptions for 374 yards on the 2024 campaign.

With Aiyuk potentially sidelined, the 49ers will likely rely on a combination of Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley, and rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing in the passing game alongside Deebo Samuel and George Kittle.

More updates are set to come for Aiyuk’s injury status. Stay tuned to Niners Wire for the latest.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!