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What to expect from 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk against Eagles after Week 1 silence?

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What to expect from 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk against Eagles after Week 1 silence?

WHITE SULFUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Brandon Aiyuk’s deafeningly quiet season opener “definitely” caught him by surprise, too.

“But that was last week,” Aiyuk said after the 49ers’ practice Friday. “I’m not too focused on that anymore. Another task at hand this week.”

That task: cleanly execute his assignments, however many that may be if he continues to split snaps with Trent Sherfield when the 49ers (1-0) visit the Philadelphia Eagles (1-0).

Aiyuk sees it as an opportunity and extra motivation to “get back in line” and regain focus.

“I’ve already started to understand in this league that it’s never a steady path to the top,” said the 2020 first-round draft pick. “You’re going to have really high moments, low moments. But I think it’s all about how you refocus, rebalance, and get back on track afterward.”

The most surprising aspect of the 49ers’ 41-33, season-opening rout at Detroit was Aiyuk’s absence as a front-line wide receiver or rushing threat. He had no catches, no targets, no carries, one punt return and one less offensive snap than Sherfield, his summer training partner who’s supplanted him on the depth chart.

Coach Kyle Shanahan commended Aiyuk’s route running, blocking assignments and adaption to the game plan throughout this week’s practices at The Greenbrier Resort.

“It’s not just about Aiyuk,” Shanahan said. “I know I keep saying this, but everybody is making it just like him. It also has to do with other receivers in the room and we have a pretty good group.”

His part-time role in the opener came in the wake of an impressive rookie season. Asked if it’s motivated him, he replied: “Of course. Of course.”

His pseudo-benching has kept him a hot topic on social media (and the fantasy football circuit). “I have had a couple of people call me, tell me I was trending on Twitter, so that was cool,” Aiyuk said. “I don’t pay attention to any of that stuff. I really can’t.”

Aiyuk last spoke with the media July 30, early in training camp. He squirmed as he answered most questions Friday, but not in a defiant way, just more as someone looking to get in a game to regain his stature.

 

Aiyuk had just as many targets and catches – none – after one game his rookie year, too. He missed the 2020 opener with a hamstring injury, a more serious one than last month’s tightness that shelved him 10 days.

Neither Shanahan nor offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel pinned all of Aiyuk’s demotion to his health. Sherfield’s emergence was also a compelling, believable factor to splitting reps with Aiyuk, alongside Deebo Samuel (189 yards in Sunday’s opener).

Aiyuk, however, has his faults, such as drops and route crispness and whatever else the coaches harp on behind closed doors.

“What’s been cool,” McDaniel said, “is watching a young guy who’s always been so talented at every level, who’s probably always been the default starter, regardless, because he’s better than everyone, handle a small obstacle in his career.”

Aiyuk, to be fair, has hurdled obstacles in his past, including an Eagles defender on a touchdown run in last year’s 49ers home loss. He went to Sierra Community College before transferring to Arizona State, where he waited his turn behind N’Keal Harry (New England Patriots) to become the Sun Devils’ go-to guy.

The 49ers traded up to draft him No. 25 overall — one spot ahead of another potential suitor, the Green Bay Packers — so they’re not about to abandon him. “In-house with the 49ers, it’s not like he’s in the doghouse at all or anything,” said McDaniel.

Aiyuk opened training camp as Mr. Popular, catching four passes from both Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance in the first two practices. Then Aiyuk faded. He dropped Lance’s first pass in the preseason opener, and, in the next game at the Los Angeles Chargers, a Garoppolo high pass deflected off Aiyuk’s hands for an interception.

Aiyuk said the quarterback rotation isn’t troublesome to him as a receiver, that “whoever’s out there, we just roll.”

His 60 catches last season were second-most in franchise history by a rookie (Earl Cooper, 83; 1980). His seven touchdowns (five receiving, two rushing) were third-most by a 49ers rookie (Roger Craig, 12; 1983; Cooper, nine).

Aiyuk did all that despite missing four games: the first with a hamstring injury, two in November because of COVID issues, and the finale with an ankle injury. He finished with 748 receiving yards and 77 rushing yards.

LANCE HONORED

Lance wore a camouflage jersey (not for sale, folks) to signify his prize as a scout-team player of the week, having mimicked Eagles mobile quarterback Jalen Hurts.

“He’s gave us the best looks we can ever ask for. And it’s very beneficial,” defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans said. “We’ve had it all OTAs, all training camp. Trey is such a dynamic player and for us to be able to benefit from the look that he’s giving us has been outstanding.”

The 49ers also likely got some help or insight from another quarterback, Nate Sudfeld, who’s on their practice squad after spending the past four seasons on the Eagles. Other scout-team players of the week were defensive ends Arden Key and Alex Barrett.

INJURY REPORT

Friday’s walk-through saw defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw (knee) and Arik Armstead (adductor) participate a second straight day after not practicing Wednesday, and both are questionable to play, as is linebacker Marcell Harris (oblique).

Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (knee) is doubtful after suiting up for more individual conditioning on the side; he’s missed two weeks since his injury in practice.

GREENLAW OUT

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is out at least a month to have surgery on a core (groin) muscle that’s bothered him since training camp.

“It started to get better and he tweaked it on the pick-six,” Shanahan said of Greenlaw’s 39-yard interception return for a touchdown that forced him out before halftime. “Guys who’ve usually had that (surgery) are around four to six weeks (of recovery). Hoping it’s that. You never know.”

MITCHELL’S INSTANT FAME

Elijah Mitchell’s 104-yard debut sparked instant fame to put him atop fantasy football transaction wires. He’s heard from a flood of people “telling me they picked me up.” On being a top waiver-wire add, he said: “That’s crazy, crazy.”

Mitchell said of his family and friends’ reaction: “In their eyes, they always knew I had the talent and stuff. It wasn’t a surprise for them. They knew I could play at this level. They enjoyed it and they love me.”

Fullback Kyle Juszczyk said he and the 49ers are “gutted” about Raheem Mostert’s exit to have season-ending knee surgery. Juszczyk praised Mitchell’s debut: “Not just anybody can roll out and get 100 yards, even in this system and this offensive line.”

TURN IT UP

Friday’s music playlist included Boyz II Men signing “MotownPhilly,” quite fitting for this final practice at The Greenbrier during the 49ers’ layover of a 10-day road trip, from Detroit (Motown) to Philly. Lyrics: “Motownphilly’s back again

Doin’ a little East Coast swing.”

Another song played was AC/DC classic “Thunderstruck.” Incidentally, weather Sunday in Philly should be sunny with a high of 81 (Sherfield’s jersey number, by the way).

 

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