SF 49ers: Brandon Aiyuk and 3 other positives from loss to Saints

Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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Jordan Reed, SF 49ers
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jordan Reed (81) catches a pass over New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

SF 49ers Takeaway No. 2: Jordan Reed has been a nice storyline

We may never know what it would have been like for head coach Kyle Shanahan to pair tight ends George Kittle and Jordan Reed on the field at the same time for a lengthy duration, as Kittle is sidelined indefinitely and Reed missed a large chunk of games since Week 3 with knee and ankle injuries.

But Reed was able to make his return to the field in Week 10 and gave Nick Mullens a reliable target in Kittle’s absence, hauling in five catches for 62 yards, including an impressive one-handed grab on a third-down conversion attempt.

While Reed might not be the yards-after-catch monster he was during his heyday years with Washington, there’s little questioning he’s still a notable weapon and threat for San Francisco.

And to think Reed could have walked away from the game last offseason.

A history of concussions and injuries thwarted the one-time Pro Bowler’s career leading up to 2020. His latest setbacks could have also been overly detrimental, although Reed’s performance against the Saints suggests he can still be a viable threat.

A free agent in 2021, the Niners have to think about the potential of retaining Reed’s services for one more year to at least see what a fully healthy tandem of him and Kittle might look like.

San Francisco’s offense would be better for it.