The San Francisco 49ers continue navigating a challenging start to the season with multiple key players sidelined by injuries. Brandon Aiyuk represents one of the most significant absences, as the veteran wide receiver has been out since suffering a devastating knee injury late in the 2024 season. For fantasy football managers who drafted him and stashed him on IR, what is the latest on his recovery timeline?
Brandon Aiyuk Injury Update
Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee during the 49ers’ Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs in October 2024. That injury ended his season after he had compiled 25 receptions for 374 yards and no touchdowns across seven games before going down.
Ahead of the 2025 NFL season, Aiyuk was placed on the active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list on July 18, 2025. By August 26, 2025, he was moved to the reserve PUP list, officially ruling him out for at least the first four regular-season games per NFL rules.
We are currently in Week 4, meaning Aiyuk will be eligible to return next week, but every indication suggests that won’t happen. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has hinted that Aiyuk is targeting a return around Week 6, though both Shanahan and General Manager John Lynch have emphasized it is a projection, not a guaranteed date.
The timeline depends heavily on rehab progress and whether Aiyuk clears medical benchmarks. “I always see [them returning] around Week 6, which means that could be Week 10, it means it could be Week 5,” Shanahan said last month. “But that’s the area where I start thinking about it.”
GM Lynch provided an optimistic update, saying, “Brandon’s doing a tremendous job coming back … it’s kind of incredible how well he’s healing, and he’s putting in the work.” However, he also made clear that the 49ers are “not anywhere close to having a concrete timeline” for Aiyuk’s return.
As of mid-September, Aiyuk has not resumed full-contact practices or team drills. He has been observed doing side-field running, individual non-contact work, and route work without pads. Video from recent 49ers practices shows Aiyuk moving and engaging in limited drills, but still not in contact or full practice settings.
On Thursday, ahead of Week 4, Lynch spoke again regarding Aiyuk’s progress. The long and short of it is Aiyuk is “not close.”
#49ers GM John Lynch says there have been no setbacks with Brandon Aiyuk but his return is “not close”
“There’s no absolutes on these things. He’s gotta continue to hit markers. He’s tracking well, we’ll be a better team when Brandon’s out there… But it’s not close.”
(via… pic.twitter.com/XsXjKR8cM1
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) September 25, 2025
Even though the NFL rules allow for Aiyuk to play as soon as next week, based on these comments, fantasy managers should not expect Aiyuk back until closer to Week 10.
The phrase “not close” is obviously open to interpretation. An average person would probably consider a Week 6 or 7 return as pretty close. It’s quite clear we’re not getting that.
Aiyuk Fantasy Outlook
Aiyuk’s return should now be adjusted to be somewhere in the Week 8-12 range, with fantasy managers advised to brace for it to be on the longer end of that timeline. Given the severity of his knee injuries and the 49ers’ cautious approach, Aiyuk will likely be eased back into action rather than immediately resuming a full workload.
Aiyuk’s track record raises expectations for his return. He posted back-to-back 1,000+ yard seasons in 2022 and 2023, including 78 receptions for 1,015 yards in 2022 and 75 for 1,342 yards in 2023. Those performances underscore what quarterback Brock Purdy and the 49ers expect when he returns and why his absence is keenly felt.
With Deebo Samuel Sr. traded this offseason, Aiyuk is the clear WR1 of this team when he returns. This creates significant fantasy upside, as he should command a substantial target share in what figures to be a productive passing offense.
However, fantasy managers should temper expectations for immediate production. We are at least a month away from managers being able to even consider putting Aiyuk in lineups with any degree of confidence. His return will likely involve a gradual workload increase as he regains full game conditioning and timing with Purdy.
In Aiyuk’s absence, second-year WR Ricky Pearsall is getting more attention and opportunity, while Jauan Jennings has also seen an expanded role amidst his own injury issues. The emergence of these players could initially impact Aiyuk’s target share, though his proven track record suggests he’ll eventually reclaim a prominent role.
The 49ers’ careful management of his return timeline indicates they’re prioritizing long-term health over short-term availability. Fantasy managers should prepare for a methodical reintegration rather than an immediate return to his previous workload levels.
When Aiyuk does return to full health, he projects as a potential league-winner given his talent level and expected role in the offense. However, patience will be required as the recovery process unfolds over the coming weeks.