The 49ers reinstated Aiyuk (personal) from the reserve/left squad list Monday and were granted a two-week roster exemption for the wide receiver, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.
In what amounted to a procedural transaction after Aiyuk met with team officials Friday upon filing his paperwork for reinstatement, the 49ers now have until Nov. 23 to either add him to the 53-man roster, release him or trade him. Given that Aiyuk owes the 49ers roughly $13 million in bonus forfeiture, securing a release from the team could prove difficult, though it's possible that the two sides work out a repayment plan that would allow him to become a free agent. In addition to the financial complications potentially delaying Aiyuk's return to the field, it's unclear if the 49ers or any other team have interest in rostering the 28-year-old wideout, who hasn't played an NFL snap since tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee Oct. 20, 2024 and undergoing surgery.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Meets with 49ers on Friday
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Prior to meeting with 49ers officials Friday, Aiyuk (personal) told assembled media that he's "feeling great, healthy" and "looking to get reinstated to the National Football League," Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Per Wagoner, Aiyuk submitted paperwork to be reinstated to the NFL in late October, and since then both the NFL Management Council and the NFL Players Association have been involved in an attempt to reach a resolution that's agreeable to both the wide receiver and the 49ers. Tom Pelissero of Netflix reported Thursday that Aiyuk's efforts to secure his release may be hampered by the roughly $13 million in bonus forfeitures that he owes the team, which could mean arbitration comes into play and delays the process. Friday's meeting between Aiyuk, his agent Drew Rosenhaus and San Francisco brass was only the first step. If the sides reach an agreement, the 49ers will have three options: release Aiyuk, trade him before Tuesday's deadline or add him to their 53-man roster.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Money owed may be hurdle in securing release
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Aiyuk's effort to secure his release by reporting to the 49ers' facility Friday could be complicated by roughly $13 million in bonus forfeiture he owes the team, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Pelissero notes that the NFL Management Council and the NFL Players Association are both involved in trying to reaching a resolution that is agreeable to both Aiyuk and the 49ers. It's possible that the embattled wideout could ultimately agree to pay back the money in order to potentially have an opportunity to move on with another club, but there's also a chance the issue goes to arbitration. Aiyuk is planning to show up at San Francisco's facility Friday, though that is unlikely to bring the matter to a close. In fact, it could take an extended period of time to sort out a path forward, especially if arbitration is brought into play.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Path forward murky
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch both declined to get into specifics when discussing the future of Aiyuk, who has filed his paperwork for reinstatement and plans to show up to the 49ers' facility Friday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Lynch previously stated "I think it's safe to say that he's played his last snap with the Niners" regarding Aiyuk in January, but the GM was much less definitive Thursday when asked about a reunion with Aiyuk, responding with "I think everything's possible." Head coach Kyle Shanahan gave a similar answer Wednesday, stating "There's no absolutes in life." The 49ers are working with the NFL management council to find a resolution to Aiyuk's situation, so the team's front office and coaching staff are treating this situation as an ongoing legal matter. If Aiyuk is successfully reinstated, the 49ers could trade him, release him or add him to the active roster.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Turns in reinstatement paperwork
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Aiyuk, who who is currently is on the 49ers' Reserve/Left Squad list, has turned in paperwork to be reinstated, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Per his agent Drew Rosenhaus, Aiyuk "is healthy and ready to get back on the field. Meanwhile, Schefter adds that once the wideout officially reports back to the 49ers, the team's options are to keep Aiyuk under his current contract, release him or look to move him ahead of this coming Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. Given the moving parts involved, it remains to be seen when Aiyuk might return to the field in any locale, but depending on his health and conditioning level, the 2020 first-rounder could represent an intriguing option for a team looking to add WR depth to consider.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Pursuing return to NFL
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Aiyuk is close to hiring new representation and is expected to file for reinstatement to the NFL in the near future, according to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.
Aiyuk, 28, made his last NFL appearance Oct. 20, 2024, when he sustained multiple ligament tears in his right knee and required season-ending surgery. Though Aiyuk has likely been fully healthy for several months, his future in football has been murky due in part to his acrimonious relationship with the 49ers, who still hold his rights after placing him on the reserve/left squad list last December. GM John Lynch already announced back in January that Aiyuk wouldn't play for the 49ers again, but until the wideout formally files for reinstatement, he's unlikely to be traded or released. Aiyuk now appears to be willing to take that step, after previously indicating over the summer that he had no intention to apply for reinstatement.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Remains on left squad list
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San Francisco general manager John Lynch told reporters Saturday that Aiyuk (knee) will remain on the 49ers' reserve/left squad list, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Aiyuk is not on the 49ers' 90-man roster as the team opened training camp Saturday. Injuries and off-field issues had Lynch publicly state in January that Aiyuk will never play for the 49ers again, though it's unclear when a move to remove the veteran wide receiver from the team's roster will actually take place. Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract with the 49ers in August of 2024 but hasn't seen regular-season action since Week 7 of the 2024 campaign after tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Issued arrest warrant for speeding
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Aiyuk (knee) has been issued an arrest warrant on a misdemeanor charge of exhibition of speed by the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.
Aiyuk's warrant relates to a December video posted of himself driving nearby the 49ers' stadium. San Francisco GM John Lynch said back in January that Aiyuk will not play for the team again, while head coach Kyle Shanahan said in late March during the NFL owners' meeting that the team is in "no rush" to release the wideout and would prefer to receive some form of compensation via a trade. The 49ers inked veteran wideouts Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in free agency to join third-year pro Ricky Pearsall, as well as selecting rookie De'Zhaun Stribling in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft at No. 33 overall. Aiyuk did not play in 2025 while rehabbing from ACL and MCL tears in his right knee that he sustained during the 2024 campaign, and he was placed on the reserve/left squad list last December.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Won't play for Niners again
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San Francisco GM John Lynch said Wednesday that Aiyuk (knee) won't play for the 49ers again, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Reports in November suggested Aiyuk was angling for his release after the 49ers voided guarantees in his contract. He'll likely get his wish in the coming weeks, with Lynch now confirming that Aiyuk won't be welcomed back to the team.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Not practicing this week
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Aiyuk (knee) won't return to practice this week, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Aiyuk reportedly wants to sit out the rest of the season and then angle for his release rather than playing for the 49ers after they voided guarantees in his four-year extension. The team, meanwhile, is hoping to get Aiyuk back on the field at some point this season, though it presumably wouldn't be until late December or January. It's unclear if Aiyuk would be considered ready for practice if not for his displeasure with the 49ers.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Future with franchise uncertain
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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.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Out for Week 12, still week-to-week
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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.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Unlikely to practice this week
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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.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Expected to play this year, eventually
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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.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Unlikely to have practice window opened this week
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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.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: May have practice window opened soon
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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.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Not close to returning from PUP
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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.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Shifts to reserve/PUP list
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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.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Could be ready for Week 6
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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.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Moved to active/PUP list Friday
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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.
