SF 49ers: Brandon Aiyuk not happy with Mohamed Sanu release

The SF 49ers released veteran wide receiver Mohamed Sanu on Tuesday, prompting something of a frustrated response from Brandon Aiyuk.

The SF 49ers are starting to get some reinforcements back for their injury-depleted roster, and it’s looking as if head coach Kyle Shanahan’s wide receiver corps will be back to being fully healthy in the very near future.

The Niners already got second-year pro Deebo Samuel back from a foot injury, and the anticipation is the backup slot receiver and kick returner, Richie James, will return soon, too.

Yet there have to be some corresponding moves. And according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, San Francisco is parting ways with veteran wide receiver Mohamed Sanu:

Sanu was signed to a one-year deal ahead of Week 2 as something of an emergency option, following the SF 49ers’ rash of injuries to start the year.

And while he had just one catch for a mere 9 yards over his three-week span and reunification with his former offensive coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons in 2016, Shanahan, it was pretty evident Sanu wasn’t figuring into the Niners’ long-term plans.

Except for his absence certainly frustrated one of the veteran’s now-former teammates, rookie receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

SF 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk not happy about Mohamed Sanu’s release?

Mere minutes after news broke Sanu was being let go, Aiyuk tweeted out a pretty clear response to the decision:

In Week 3 against the New York Giants, Aiyuk spent some time working with Sanu on the sidelines, both before and during the game. Whatever mentoring Sanu provided must have worked, as Aiyuk broke out with five receptions for 70 yards, adding another 31 yards on the ground plus a touchdown.

Perhaps Aiyuk valued Sanu’s veteran presence, much like how Samuel appreciated now-New Orleans Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders‘ savvy advice during the latter half of last season.

Still, the idea is for San Francisco to pair the younger Aiyuk and Samuel on the field for the elongated future, hoping Sanu’s three-week stint with the team at least left a positive impression on the youngsters.

For Aiyuk, it sure seems as if it did.