49ers inactives vs. Giants: Brandon Aiyuk injury just too much to overcome

The 49ers will indeed be without their top wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, for Thursday Night Football against the visiting Giants.

If the San Francisco 49ers were playing on a regularly scheduled week, one might guess that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk would be available to play despite dealing with a shoulder injury suffered during his team's Week 2 road win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Aiyuk gutted it out for that Week 2 game, and head coach Kyle Shanahan subsequently told reporters he felt that the fourth-year receiver would be "alright" going forward.

But, with the Niners playing on a short week, hosting the 1-1 New York Giants for Thursday Night Football in Week 3, there was reasonable doubt that Aiyuk wouldn't quite be ready to go.

One report from earlier in the week noted out there were no fractures in the shoulder, and Aiyuk being able to play was merely a matter of pain tolerance. Indeed, he was listed as questionable for the contest and was a limited participant in practice leading up to Thursday night.

However, mere hours before the game, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Aiyuk wasn't expected to play, which corresponded with one of San Francisco's roster moves, promoting veteran wideout Chris Conley up from the practice squad.

It sounds as if the pain was just a bit too much on a short week.

While there aren't any official statements yet about the matter, one might figure Aiyuk would have been a full-go if he had a regular week's worth of rest and recovery.

49ers inactives for Thursday Night Football vs. Giants

Including Aiyuk, who'll be out for the 49ers' 2023 regular-season home opener, the Niners listed the following players as inactive for Thursday night:

• WR Brandon Aiyuk
• CB Ambry Thomas
• QB Brandon Allen
• RB Tyrion Davis-Price
• OL Nick Zakelj
• LB Jalen Graham
• DL Kalia Davis

Related story: 49ers vs. Giants: How to watch, stream and listen to Thursday Night Football

One of San Francisco's other injured players, cornerback Ambry Thomas, was also listed as questionable with a knee issue, is also inactive for the game.

The Niners and Giants kick off on Sept. 21 at 8:20 p.m. ET from Levi's Stadium.

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