Niner Noise
FanSided

4 players the 49ers need to step up in NFC West bout vs. Rams

With the 49ers missing several key players heading into Week 3 and coming off a disappointing loss, several players need to play a bigger role against the Rams.

By Robert Morrison

San Francisco 49ers v Jacksonville Jaguars
San Francisco 49ers v Jacksonville Jaguars / Mike Carlson/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next

49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk

First on the board is a player who doesn't just need to step up on Sunday, but somone who needs to show that the offseason contract situation and subsequent hold-in isn't going to derail his entire 2024 season: wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

The former second team All-Pro has not gotten off to the best start to his campaign, pulling in six receptions on 10 targets for 71 yards, including a dropped touchdown in the season opening win over the New York Jets.

While Deebo Samuel has taken over as the 49ers' No. 1 receiving option through the first two weeks, his absence means that it's time for Aiyuk to shake off the rust and prove that all the scuttlebutt in the offseason was worth it.

Frankly, that was important either way, because Aiyuk is being paid like a top receiver in the league and so he needs to play like one. But with Deebo out for the next few weeks, it'll be up to Aiyuk to step up and take over as quarterback Brock Purdy's security blanket as he was last year.

Home/SF 49ers News