Star San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk married his longtime girlfriend Rochelle Searight on Saturday, April 12. What made this special day even more memorable was a video of him and their son, Braylon, skipping down the aisle ahead of the ceremony.
The video, shared on social media, garnered a ton of reaction from fans. The father-son duo’s coordinated outfits were heartwarming, drawing smiles from teammates and friends alike. Those smiling the biggest may have been 49ers fans, as Aiyuk’s recovery from his season-ending injury looks to be going well.
Brandon Aiyuk Playing in Week 1 Considered Possible
Aiyuk sustained a season-ending right knee injury on Oct. 20 when Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner made a big hit at the end of a 15-yard reception. He tore his ACL and MCL on the play, and the injuries ended his season. Three weeks later, Aiyuk underwent surgery to repair the damage, and his status with the team was in question for most of the season.
But now it seems like Aiyuk is done being a benchwarmer.
Analyzing the viral video, Dr. Jeff Mueller gave his take on Aiyuk’s road to recovery on X.
He listed a few things that hint at Brandon’s timely comeback in 2025.
He starts by noting the usual ACL/MCL recovery time: 9-10 months. When you crunch the numbers, Week 1 marks nine months and 24 days, as Mueller noted, putting Aiyuk on the right track.
He also noted that surgeon Neal ElAttrache, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, and general manager John Lynch are all confident in a timely recovery. Mueller then highlighted the wide receiver’s movement ability in the video with his son — a subtle but telling sign of progress.
Finally, Mueller gave his verdict on Aiyuk’s situation: In his opinion, the wide receiver will be ready to play in Week 1.
It’s important to note that this is just the doctor’s opinion — it isn’t official or guaranteed that he’ll be ready for Week 1. But hopefully, he returns stronger than ever.
49ers’ Offensive Outlook With Aiyuk Returning
The 49ers’ offensive outlook for 2025 is set to significantly improve with Aiyuk’s anticipated return.
In 2024, with Aiyuk inactive, the 49ers ranked ninth in PFSN’s Offense+ metric (80.5 grade) with a second-best yards-per-play but a 6-11 record due to multiple injuries, including those to Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams.
His 2023 performance — 75 receptions, 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns — highlights his potential to transform the passing game.
With a $22.85 million bonus triggered on April 1, 2025, and an easier schedule, Aiyuk’s return could elevate the 49ers back to playoff contention.