49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Could still play for team in 2025
Rotowire
The 49ers remain committed to getting Aiyuk (knee) "healthy and back on the field" in 2025, even though the team had approximately $27 million in guarantees for the 2026 season voided in his contract, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Dianna Russini and Michael Silver of The Athletic broke the news Friday about Aiyuk's guaranteed money for 2026 being voided after the 49ers asserted that he failed to fulfill contractual obligations, but head coach Kyle Shanahan noted Saturday that the financial maneuver happened back in late July, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. Shanahan didn't offer many specifics regarding what led to the team's decision to void the guaranteed money, but the coach acknowledged that Aiyuk remains engaged with the team and was at the 49ers' facility doing rehab work for his surgically repaired right knee as recently as Friday. While the 49ers remain optimistic Aiyuk will contribute at some point this season, a target date for his potential debut won't become clearer until the team opens his 21-day practice window. If Aiyuk doesn't end up playing before the season ends, his time in San Francisco could well be over, as the 49ers may be keen on moving on from the wideout during the offseason. A trade would likely be the preferred route if the 49ers part ways with Aiyuk; if he's released outright with no post-June 1 designation, San Francisco would incur a dead-cap charge of $29.585 million.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Future with franchise uncertain
Rotowire
Aiyuk (knee) is considered unlikely to play for the 49ers again after the team voided guarantees in his contract for 2026, Dianna Russini and Michael Silver of The Athletic report.
The 49ers reportedly voided the guarantees in response to Aiyuk missing meetings and declining to participate in other team activities the past couple months while he finished up his rehab from the ACL and MCL tears he sustained last October. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Nov. 10 that he was "pretty confident" Aiyuk would play at some point this season, but the wideout seemingly doesn't want to play for San Francisco at all. With the trade deadline having come and gone, Aiyuk may have to miss the entire season even if he's physically ready to play soon. He's in the first season of a four-year, $130 million extension, but the report suggests Aiyuk will angle for his release this offseason, rather than filing a grievance or agreeing to play on a non-guaranteed salary. He'll turn 28 in March and shouldn't lack for free-agent suitors if it comes to that.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Out for Week 12, still week-to-week
Rotowire
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Aiyuk's (knee) 21-day practice window will not be opened this week, and he remains week-to-week, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Aiyuk will not play in next Monday night's Week 12 game against the Panthers, and he doesn't appear to be particularly close to a return to game action. The 49ers have a Week 14 bye, so perhaps Aiyuk will be able to practice at some point before that and potentially play prior to the end of the regular season. For now, the Niners will continue to roll with Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne as their three main wideouts.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Unlikely to practice this week
Rotowire
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that the 49ers don't intend to open Aiyuk's (knee) practice window this week, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Aiyuk remains in the rehab stages of the torn ACL and MCL that he suffered in his right knee Week 7 of last season. Shanahan told David Lombardi of SFStandard.com last Wednesday that he's "pretty confident" Aiyuk will play at some point this season, but it's unlikely to happen this coming Sunday and probably for at least a few more weeks after that point.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Expected to play this year, eventually
Rotowire
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that he's "pretty confident" Aiyuk (knee) will play at some point this season, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.
That's probably not what fantasy managers want to hear, though it was already made clear Monday that Aiyuk isn't exactly close to a return. He's still on injured reserve with no designation to return to practice this week, and then he's presumably looking at a multi-week ramp-up whenever he does begin practicing. A game appearance before December would be surprising.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Unlikely to have practice window opened this week
Rotowire
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that the 49ers don't intend to designate Aiyuk (knee) to return from the reserve/PUP list Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
On Friday, Shanahan told David Lombardi of SFStandard.com that Aiyuk's 21-day practice window may open this week, but even if it doesn't, the 49ers currently are in "week-to-week mode" with the wide receiver. Aiyuk is a little over one year removed from suffering ACL and MCL tears in his right knee during Week 7 of the 2024 campaign, so he's likely facing a significant ramp-up process even when he is cleared to practice.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: May have practice window opened soon
Rotowire
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that the 49ers may designate Aiyuk (knee) to return from the reserve/PUP list next week, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.
Aiyuk is a shade more than one year removed from tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee Week 7 of last season. Once the 49ers make the aforementioned transaction, be it next week or beyond that point, the team will have a 21-day window in which to evaluate Aiyuk in practice to determine his return to action. Shanahan added that San Francisco currently is in "week-to-week mode" with Aiyuk, meaning he may need a few weeks to get up to speed before gaining clearance to play.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Still no timetable to practice
Rotowire
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Aiyuk (knee) is getting "closer and closer" to being able to practice, but the 49ers don't have a specific timeline for the wide receiver to do so, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Aiyuk remains in recovery mode from the ACL and MCL tears that he suffered in his right knee Week 7 of last season, instead residing on the reserve/PUP list to this point in the campaign. Per David Lombardi of SFStandard.com, Shanahan added, "I always look around Week 10, but I'm not putting an exact date on it." As of Week 6, Aiyuk's only notable on-field work occurred in mid-September, when he was seen running while fellow 49ers wide receivers worked in individual drills, per Wagoner.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Not close to returning from PUP
Rotowire
49ers GM John Lynch said Thursday that Aiyuk (knee, PUP) is "not close" to returning, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.
Lombardi believes a Week 6 return is not realistic for Aiyuk, as the wide receiver is still working to hit various markers in his recovery. Coach Kyle Shanahan said back in August that Week 6 was a reasonable target for Aiyuk's return to game action, but that is looking increasingly unlikely at this point. The 49ers will continue to work through injuries at the position, but Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle) appear poised to lead this wideout room for the foreseeable future.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Week 4 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Aiyuk (knee) might not make his season debut until Week 6, but you might want to stash him now, especially if you have an IR spot. If everyone is healthy for the 49ers, Aiyuk might be the No. 3 receiver behind Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings, but Jennings just missed Week 3 with an ankle injury. And we'll see when George Kittle (hamstring) can return to action, with the earliest he's eligible being Week 5. That said, Aiyuk still has the potential to be a top-30 Fantasy receiver in all leagues, and if you can add him now for 1 percent of your remaining FAB then it makes sense.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Shifts to reserve/PUP list
Rotowire
The 49ers moved Aiyuk (knee) to the reserve/PUP list Tuesday.
This is merely a procedural move, as coach Kyle Shanahan has circled (in his mind) a Week 6 road matchup with the Buccaneers as a possible date for Aiyuk to make his 2025 debut, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic. With this move from active/PUP to reserve/PUP, though, Aiyuk technically can return to action as early as Thursday, Oct. 2 at the Rams. He remains in recovery mode from the ACL and MCL tears that he sustained in his right knee Week 7 of last season. With Demarcus Robinson suspended for the first three games of the season, Jauan Jennings (calf) and Ricky Pearsall are the top wide receivers on San Francisco's active roster.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Could be ready for Week 6
Rotowire
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Week 6 could be a realistic target for Aiyuk (ACL) to take the field, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.
Shanahan preempted the estimate by saying he hadn't given the date much thought, but Week 6 nonetheless seems like a fairly realistic target for Aiyuk, who is recovering from right knee surgery that he underwent last November to address ACL and MCL tears, to make his 2025 debut. In that scenario, Aiyuk would figure to begin the season on the reserve/PUP list, then begin ramping his activity level up before hopefully taking the field Sunday, Oct. 12 on the road against Tampa Bay. Even then, it's conceivable Aiyuk could get off to a slow start and ramp his way up to a full starting share of snaps, meaning it would incentivize fantasy managers to plan ahead and roster alternative options at WR. With Jauan Jennings (calf) and Jacob Cowing (hamstring) still not practicing, and Jordan Watkins (ankle) out about a month, Ricky Pearsall and Demarcus Robinson currently are operating as the 49ers' clear top two wide receivers.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Moved to active/PUP list Friday
Rotowire
Aiyuk (knee) was placed on the active/PUP list by the 49ers on Friday.
Aiyuk is eligible to practice while on the active/PUP list, though he isn't expected to be available for training camp as he recovers from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee sustained in October. Fellow wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) was also placed on the active/PUP list Friday, though he's expected to have a much more optimistic recovery timeline than Aiyuk. With Jauan Jennings (calf) unhappy with his contract, there will be more opportunities for Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins during training camp.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Coaching up teammates at minicamp
Rotowire
Aiyuk (knee) is present at San Francisco's mandatory minicamp but is not practicing, though he contributed Tuesday by coaching up the team's younger receivers, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Aiyuk's recovery remains on track, but given the severity of the injury he's working back from, he's not considered a candidate to be ready for the start of training camp in late July. The 49ers haven't yet offered a tangible timetable for Aiyuk's expected return, but he's remaining involved at team activities despite not being ready to handle on-field work. While it's still possible Aiyuk is ready for the start of the regular season after tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee last October, it's not a guarantee he'll be back to 100 percent form at any point in 2025. Even considering his deflated ADP in 2025 fantasy drafts, Aiyuk has to be considered a high-risk, high-upside selection. As he heads into the second season of the four-year, $120 million extension he inked with the 49ers last offseason, though, Aiyuk remains positioned to lead San Francisco's wide receiver corps when fully healthy.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Progressing with injury recovery
Rotowire
GM John Lynch relayed Monday that Aiyuk, who tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee in October, met with Dr. Neal ElAttrache last week and got "good reviews" in terms of the progress he's made in his recovery, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
That said, there is still no concrete timetable for Aiyuk's return to action. Either way, Lynch noted that despite recent trade speculation, he expects the 2020 first-rounder -- who the 49ers signed to a four-year, $120 million extension last August -- to remain with the team this coming season. Due a $22.85 million bonus Tuesday, Aiyuk recorded 25 catches (on 47 targets) for 374 yards in seven games prior to his injury, and, once he's fully healthy, he'll be in line to headline a San Francisco WR corps that no longer includes Deebo Samuel. For now, the top available options behind Aiyuk are Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall and Demarcus Robinson.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Undergoes knee surgery
Rotowire
Aiyuk had surgery to repair the ACL and other damage in is right knee earlier this week, David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard reports.
Aiyuk sustained at least ACL and MCL tears in that knee during a Week 7 loss to the Chiefs, so Lombardi's report indicates other areas may have been impacted in the hit that he took just before halftime in that game. Medical science has reached a point that Aiyuk could make enough progress in his recovery to be ready for Week 1 of the 2025 season, but additional damage to his right knee on top of what is known may delay his next game action. With Aiyuk out for the season, Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall will be the primary wide receivers for QB Brock Purdy the rest of the way.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Moves on IR
Rotowire
The 49ers placed Aiyuk (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday.
Aiyuk has a long rehab path ahead of him after suffering ACL and MCL tears in his right knee during Sunday's loss to the Chiefs. The 49ers are left with Deebo Samuel (illness) and Jauan Jennings (hip) as their top veteran wide receivers for the rest of the season, and it's unclear if either will be available this Sunday against the Cowboys. Rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing and second-year pro Ronnie Bell are all candidates for significant playing time in the near future, especially if veteran backup Chris Conley (ankle) also is unable to play.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Torn ACL, MCL confirmed
Rotowire
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Monday that Aiyuk sustained tears to the ACL and MCL in his right knee during Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Aiyuk will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season, ending it with 25 catches (on 47 targets) for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games. With Deebo Samuel suffering from pneumonia, Jauan Jennings dealing with a hip issue and Chris Conley tending to a sprained ankle, the 49ers' current healthy wide receivers on the active roster are Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing and Ronnie Bell.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Believed to be done for 2024
Rotowire
Tests on Aiyuk's right knee Monday revealed a season-ending injury, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
The exact nature of Aiyuk's injury isn't yet clear, but the fear after Sunday's loss to the Chiefs was that it was a significant injury and possibly a torn ACL. While making a catch, Aiyuk was hit low and high by a pair of Kansas City defenders going opposite directions, forcing Aiyuk's knee to bend the wrong direction. It sounds as if he'll end the 2024 season with 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns across seven games after he held out the entirety of training camp while seeking a contract extension. The 49ers eventually caved and gave the star wideout a four-year, $120 million deal. Deebo Samuel (illness) and George Kittle are likely to carry even more of the target load going forward for San Francisco, and Jauan Jennings (hip) figures to draw back into the starting lineup as an every-down wideout once he's healthy. Rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing and veteran Chris Conley would be next in line for snaps.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Injures knee, ruled out Sunday
Rotowire
Aiyuk won't return to Sunday's contest against the Chiefs due to a knee injury, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Aiyuk picked up the health concern at the end of a 15-yard catch late in the second quarter. He was able to get to the sideline under his own power, but after visiting the sideline tent, he was carted to the locker room at the start of halftime, pointing at his right knee in the process, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. With Jauan Jennings (inactive) and Deebo Samuel (illness) also ruled out, Chris Conley, Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing and Ronnie Bell are the 49ers' current healthy wide receivers.
