Brandon Aiyuk: Impossible Return with the 49ers?
Brandon Aiyuk’s situation with the San Francisco 49ers is becoming increasingly uncertain. The wide receiver, who suffered a serious knee injury in October 2024, has not yet returned to the team, and with six games remaining in the regular season, the possibility that he will not play with the 49ers again is growing. During training camp, the 49ers voided Aiyuk’s guaranteed money for 2026, as it did not meet the agreement’s requirements. This contractual alteration includes an optional bonus of $24.935 million, which was originally guaranteed on April 1st of this year and has now been voided. Aiyuk is also scheduled to receive a base salary of $1.215 million, in addition to bonuses for training and appearances in matches. However, it is not clear if any of that will be paid, as the cancellation of his guarantees for 2026 opens the way for the Niners to part ways with him soon. The main question is whether Aiyuk will play this season. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and meniscus in the Week 7 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024 and has been in rehabilitation.According to a source, Aiyuk has not yet been cleared to return. This comes after he signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension on August 29, 2024, following a long period of negotiations in which he was close to being traded to the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Before the Niners almost traded him to Pittsburgh, Aiyuk and Shanahan seemed to resolve their differences, and Aiyuk agreed to sign the offer. However, signs of disagreement soon emerged, including a public confrontation at training camp. After not participating in the 2024 training camp due to the contract dispute, Aiyuk struggled in the first four games, but seemed to be regaining his form in Week 5, with eight receptions for 147 yards against the Arizona Cardinals. Two weeks later, he suffered the season-ending knee injury against the Chiefs. Despite not playing, Aiyuk was present at the training sessions during training camp, and even received praise from the wide receivers coach, Leonard Hankerson, for his willingness to help the other receivers on the team. Aiyuk remains on the physically unable to perform list. Because he is not on injured reserve, he would not count towards the team’s limit of eight players who can return from that list, meaning the 49ers could open Aiyuk’s practice window without him playing in a game. On November 5, Shanahan was asked if Aiyuk could play this season.Brandon is week to week. With an injury as big as that, we’re just waiting until he feels completely comfortable to come back and start practicing.
Kyle Shanahan, 49ers Coach
The 49ers are scheduled to have their final practice of the week on Saturday afternoon before Monday night’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Shanahan will speak after practice.I’m pretty sure he’ll eventually do it. At least, open his practice window.
Kyle Shanahan, 49ers Coach
