The wait for a return from San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is going to have to continue.
Aiyuk, who suffered a catastrophic knee injury in Week 7 of the 2024 season, has been on the Physically Unable to Perform list since reporting for training camp in late July. That was reported by head coach Kyle Shanahan in a conference call on Monday ahead of a Week 10 showdown against the Los Angeles Rams.
What’s the Status Update on Brandon Aiyuk?
San Francisco did not open Aiyuk’s 21-day practice window ahead of Week 10, and the wide receiver will not feature against the Los Angeles Rams.
This latest update comes after Shanahan said the star wide receiver was close to having his 21-day practice window opened about two weeks ago. Aiyuk remains in his current status as he continues recovering from ACL and MCL tears in his knee, injuries he suffered Oct. 20, 2024, against the Kansas City Chiefs..
However, Shanahan did confirm that their star receiver will play at some point this season. “Kyle Shanahan said that he’s “pretty confident” that Brandon Aiyuk will play at some point this season,” wrote David Lombardi on X. “49ers still waiting for Aiyuk to hit certain markers on GPS speed measurements before opening his practice window.”
Aiyuk previously had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023 before playing only seven games last year. He finished 2024 with 25 catches for 374 yards. His road to the NFL began at junior college, where he played two seasons at Sierra College and was named a First Team California Community College Football Coaches Association All-American as an all-purpose athlete.
The wide receiver was originally drafted by the 49ers with the No. 25 overall pick in 2020 following his time at Arizona State. Aiyuk has 4,305 receiving yards and 27 total touchdowns; he has also run for 117 yards.
While with the Sun Devils during his senior season, he recorded 1,192 receiving yards, the fifth-most in ASU single-season history, and was within 18 yards of fourth and 56 of third.
Once San Francisco opens the practice window, they will have 21 days to decide whether to activate him. The 49ers currently have the 10th-ranked overall offense (C+ grade) in the league, according to PFSN’s Offense Impact metric.
The timeline for Aiyuk’s return continues to slip further into December. The earliest he would realistically play would be Week 12.
A two-week ramp-up period seems more realistic given the seriousness of his injuries and extended time away. If that schedule begins after a Week 11 designation, it would push his potential return to Week 13. With the 49ers’ bye in Week 14, there is little incentive to rush him back for just one game before another week off.
Fellow wide receiver Jauan Jennings has stepped up for the receiving corps in Aiyuk’s absence. Jennings, 28, has 22 receptions and two touchdowns on the season so far.
San Francisco 49ers’ Insights for Week 10
Team: San Francisco has won 12 of 18 games when Kyle Shanahan has coached against Sean McVay. 11 of the games, including the Rams’ 2021 NFC Championship game win, have been decided by one score.
QB: Mac Jones has a 78.6 (C+) QBi score, which would be a career high for him. He registered a 59.1 (F) in 2023, his final season with the Patriots.
Offense: Christian McCaffrey is ranked 7th on RBi 83.5 (#7) through nine games. He has finished in the top eight every season since 2018.
Defense: San Francisco’s seven takeaways are tied for 23rd in the league.
Fantasy: Not to be outdone, Puka Nacua has scored at least 22.8 fantasy points in every game this season, except for the one in which he sprained his ankle and left early. He is the best wide receiver in fantasy.