Niner Noise
FanSided

5 biggest takeaways from 49ers waterlogged loss vs. Colts

By Peter Panacy

Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts is tackled by Jimmie Ward #1 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts is tackled by Jimmie Ward #1 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Isaiah Rodgers, Brandon Aiyuk, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (34) tackles San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: 49ers officially have a problem with Brandon Aiyuk

For two weeks, amid being without All-Pro tight end George Kittle, San Francisco has neglected second-year wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who should have at least seen an uptick in the game plan in light of Kittle’s calf injury.

Instead, the 49ers have been force-feeding fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel this season. And while Samuel delivered as best as he could, boasting seven receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown during the game, it’s not a bold statement to admit the Niners need a secondary offensive option through the air.

It should be Aiyuk. But after just one catch for 6 yards, the 2020 first-round NFL Draft pick isn’t anywhere closer to getting out of Kyle Shanahan’s proverbial doghouse than he might have been earlier.

Muffing a punt that luckily went for a touchback didn’t help matters either.

Regardless, Week 7 could have been a breakout game for Aiyuk in one way or another, especially considering his shiftiness and speed would have been excellent X-factors in a bad-weather game that would make even the routine tackle seem daunting.

Instead, Aiyuk walked away another non-factor, meaning the Niners aren’t doing what they need to do to develop what should be one of their top offensive weapons this season.