San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that the team will not open wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's (knee) 21-day practice window this week, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Shanahan mentioned recently that Aiyuk was getting closer to returning to practice, but apparently it won't be this week. The 27-year-old has been on the Physically Unable to Perform list all year after tearing his ACL and MCL on Oct. 20 last year. San Fran is still holding out hope that the former first-rounder will be able to help them this year, but fantasy managers stashing Aiyuk shouldn't be as confident that he'll be able to help out in 2025. In addition to Aiyuk, the Niners have been without Ricky Pearsall (knee) since Week 4 due to a sprained PCL. Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and Demarcus Robinson have been the team's starting receivers in three-wide sets in recent weeks.
Nov 3, 2025 7:30 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has yet to begin practicing as he continues rehabbing from a torn ACL and MCL suffered in Week 7 of last season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that the 49ers do not plan on opening his 21-day practice window and that he won't practice on Wednesday after mentioning it as a possibility last week. The 27-year-old wideout will, in all likelihood, have to wait at least another week before being activated off the Physically Unable to Perform List and making his season debut, as the team has taken things slow in his recovery. Aiyuk is still a very talented player who is worth stashing if fantasy managers have an open bench or IR spot, but he will likely take some time to get ramped up when he is able to return.
Oct 28, 2025 4:14 PM EST
The San Francisco 49ers do not plan to open wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's (knee) 21-day practice window on Wednesday, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said late last week that Aiyuk could resume practicing this week, but it won't happen on Wednesday, meaning he's unlikely to come off the Physically Unable to Perform list to make his season debut in Week 9 against the New York Giants. The 27-year-old pass-catcher is still recovering from suffering a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee in Week 7 of last year. Once he returns to practice, the 49ers are expected to take things slow with him, and he could need the full 21 days before he's officially activated to the active 53-man roster. Fantasy managers stashing Aiyuk need to remain patient, and it's possible that he's not back to full speed until the 2026 season.
Oct 27, 2025 8:04 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that the team could open wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's (knee) 21-day practice window next week, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Even if Aiyuk doesn't resume practicing next week, the team is in "week-to-week mode now" in terms of when they will designate him to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list. The 27-year-old has been out all year as he recovers from a devastating right-knee injury that he suffered in Week 7 of 2024. He is getting close to rejoining the team on the practice field, but Aiyuk's return to game action on Sundays may still be a ways off. The former first-rounder is worth stashing in all fantasy leagues, but expectations must be tempered as the Niners continue to slow-play his return. Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne will serve as the top receivers for San Fran again in Week 8, with Ricky Pearsall (knee) missing a fourth straight game.
Oct 24, 2025 5:31 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Thursday that there is not only hope but also "evidence" that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) might be able to return "relatively soon," according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Aiyuk is attempting to return from a serious knee injury that included a torn ACL and MCL that he suffered last October, and the former first-rounder is apparently making good progress in his rehab. Still, there is no clear timetable for when the 27-year-old wideout might make his 2025 debut, and the Niners have yet to open his 21-day practice window for him to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list. When Aiyuk finally does return to the practice field, it could take the full 21 days before he's officially activated and joins the 53-man active roster. Fantasy managers stashing him will want to temper expectations for any 2025 contributions.
Oct 23, 2025 5:35 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has yet to have his practice window opened, as he continues to recover from the multi-ligament knee injury that ended his 2024 season prematurely. While there's been speculation, he could miss all of 2025, general manager John Lynch recently noted that Aiyuk is "getting better and closer to a return." If he does make it back this season, Aiyuk will likely be eased in gradually, as most receivers returning from a major knee injury need time to regain form. By the time he's ready, the 49ers' receiving corps should be back at full strength, which could limit his target share in 2025. Fantasy managers should keep Aiyuk stashed in IR spots and remain cautiously optimistic about a late-season return.
Oct 23, 2025 10:44 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is getting "closer and closer" to returning to practice following his ACL and MCL tears in his right knee in Week 7 of last year. While the Niners aren't giving any specific date for a potential return to the practice field for Aiyuk, Shanahan mentioned Week 10 as a rough estimate, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Despite the Niners also dealing with injuries to receivers Jauan Jennings (ribs) and Ricky Pearsall and tight end George Kittle (hamstring), Aiyuk isn't going to be rushed back. And even if Aiyuk does return to practice ahead of the team's Week 10 game against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, it doesn't mean the former first-rounder would be active for his season debut that week. Once Aiyuk's practice window is open, the 49ers will have 21 days to officially activate him from the Physically Unable to Perform list. Fantasy managers who are stashing Aiyuk must remain patient.
Oct 14, 2025 3:21 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that he thinks wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is getting "closer and closer" to being able to return to practice, but there's "no definitive target date for that yet," according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Aiyuk is getting closer to practicing after tearing his ACL and MCL in his knee in Week 7 of last year, but his return to actual game action is another story. Once the Niners designate Aiyuk to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list, they'll have 21 days to officially activate him for his 2025 debut. San Fran's receiving corps really has not been healthy all year, but they aren't going to rush Aiyuk back, and fantasy managers still should be expecting his return to come in the second half of the season. Once the former first-rounder is back in the fold, don't be surprised if he's eased back into the offense, given his long layoff.
Oct 13, 2025 8:25 PM EST
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday Night Football that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), coming off a significant knee injury, is "still weeks away" from returning. Aiyuk was placed on the PUP list to start the season, which required him to miss at least the first four games of the year. It appears he will miss more time, with an uncertain timetable for his return. Fantasy managers who have the room to continue to hold him on their IR should, but with the number of injuries that have transpired over the last two weeks, fantasy managers who need to make room on their team for players closer to returning might want to consider that, as Aiyuk is looking like he won't return anytime in the next few weeks.
Oct 3, 2025 9:46 AM EST
The Athletic's David Lombardi reports that it doesn't look like Week 6 is a realistic date to expect wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list based on general manager John Lynch's recent comments. Aiyuk did not suffer a "clean" ACL tear -- he also had damage to his MCL -- in Week 7 of last year, hence a longer recovery. However, Lombardi added that Aiyuk hasn't had any setbacks during his recovery, and he's been seen sprinting at practices. Lynch said that the 27-year-old wideout is "not close" to coming off the PUP list in 2025. Fantasy managers who are stashing the former first-rounder are going to need to stay patient. In the meantime, receivers Jauan Jennings (ankle) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) will remain the top pass-catchers for the banged-up Niners with tight end George Kittle (hamstring) out.
Sep 25, 2025 12:43 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) was seen sprinting at practice as he works his way back from the torn ACL and MCL he suffered in Week 7 of last season against the Kansas City Chiefs. Aiyuk opened the year on the PUP list and has yet to be activated, but his progress suggests he's on track to return later this season. A full recovery is still a tough ask given the severity of the injury, but Aiyuk's presence would be a huge boost for both the 49ers' offense and fantasy managers. Over his last three seasons, he has averaged 11.6 half-PPR points per game, including a WR14 finish in 2023. While there's no firm timetable for activation, Aiyuk projects as a potential impact option once he's cleared to play.
Sep 25, 2025 10:25 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) was spotted doing some running on the side during Wednesday's practice. It sounds like Aiyuk is continuing to make progress, but is still going to be sidelined for a few weeks. He's currently on the physically unable to perform list through Week 4. There haven't been many updates on his status lately. The assumption is that Aiyuk should be ready to play around Week 5 or 6, but there should be a better timetable closer to that date. Aiyuk should be stashed in most 12-team formats as he'll likely be a focal point of the offense once he's ready to play.
Sep 17, 2025 9:31 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers legend Jerry Rice urged fans to temper expectations for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk earlier this offseason, noting, "It's going to take some time for him. I'd rely on those other guys to do most of the work and blend (Aiyuk) back in." Aiyuk is still recovering from the torn ACL and MCL he suffered in Week 7 of last season and has yet to resume practicing. In his absence, the 49ers have started 2-0 with steady contributions from Jauan Jennings and rookie Ricky Pearsall. With no firm return timeline, Aiyuk remains an uncertain fantasy asset and should not be counted on for meaningful production in 2025.
Sep 16, 2025 8:07 PM EST
The San Francisco 49ers officially placed wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list to begin the 2025 season, which means he will miss at least the first four contests. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has already said that Aiyuk might be targeting a return around Week 6 on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 27-year-old suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Week 7 of last season, which is why he's not ready for the start of 2025. The former first-round wideout had been a major disappointment in fantasy before his season-ending knee injury, too, as he caught just 25 of 47 targets for 374 yards and didn't find the end zone once in seven games. It's understandable for fantasy managers to want to avoid him altogether this year, although he's still worth drafting in leagues with IR spots. With Aiyuk sidelined, Jauan Jennings (calf) and Ricky Pearsall should serve as the top wideouts in San Fran.
Aug 26, 2025 5:06 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan hasn't thought about it much, but said that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) might return in Week 6. General manager John Lynch already said that he didn't think Aiyuk would be ready for Week 1 of the regular season in early September, but now it looks like the 27-year-old pass-catcher will be out much longer after tearing both his MCL and ACL in his right knee last October. Aiyuk is expected to begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which will require him to miss at least the first four games. He has not practiced with the team at all this year. Obviously, this is a big hit to Aiyuk's 2025 fantasy value. Aiyuk is stash-worthy in fantasy leagues that have designated Injured Reserve spots. In Aiyuk's absence, both Jauan Jennings (calf) and Ricky Pearsall stand to benefit as key members of the passing attack.
Aug 11, 2025 5:05 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said that he "doesn't think" wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) will be cleared for Week 1, although there's still no official timetable set for his return after he tore both his ACL and MCL last year. Aiyuk has been on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list since the start of training camp, and if he remains there for the start of the regular season, he'll be forced to miss at least the first four weeks of the season. The 27-year-old had surgery on his right knee in mid-November of last year and has yet to practice at all. With Aiyuk potentially missing at least the first four weeks of 2025, he's dropped to No. 57 in RotoBaller's receiver rankings. The former first-rounder signed a big extension with San Fran before last season and then had only 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns in seven games before his season-ending injury.
Aug 7, 2025 12:05 PM EST
According to ESPN's Nick Wagoner, the San Francisco 49ers are still unsure when Brandon Aiyuk (knee) will return to action. The 2023 All-Pro selection was the talk of the offseason last year as he negotiated a new contract following a 1,300-yard campaign, and unfortunately, he tallied just 374 receiving yards and no touchdowns in seven games before suffering a torn ACL in 2024. The 27-year-old could be set to start the new season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP), which would require him to sit out at least the first four games. Dynasty fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, and his cost in preseason redraft leagues is likely to continue to decline. Aiyuk could have a productive finish to the 2025 campaign if he can return to form, but it would be a surprise if he's a solid fantasy contributor early in the season. Wide receivers Jauan Jennings (calf) and Ricky Pearsall stand to gain the most value in Aiyuk's absence.
Jul 30, 2025 3:07 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch says the team is "encouraged" about wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's (knee) recovery from the ACL and MCL tears that ended his 2024 season last October. However, Aiyuk is "not anywhere close to having a concrete timeline" to return to practices, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Aiyuk was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list on Friday, which means he can theoretically be activated at any point this offseason. Nevertheless, previous reporting has indicated Aiyuk is unlikely to be ready to go for the start of the regular season. In his absence, San Francisco will rely more heavily on receivers Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Demarcus Robinson, and Jacob Cowing. Rookie fourth-round wideout Jordan Watkins could also get more of a look in camp.
Jul 22, 2025 2:37 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has been placed on the active/physically unable to perform list on Friday. This isn't shocking news given Aiyuk is still recovering from ACL and MCL tears from October of last year. The timetable for Aiyuk's return to the field is unclear right now. Some reports have him being ready by the start of the season, but that seems unlikely. Aiyuk probably misses the first month of the season. The 49ers are likely going to be limited to start the season with Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) also landing on the PUP list. Fellow wideout Jauan Jennings is unhappy with his contract and wants a new deal or to be traded. The 49ers could be forced to rely on Demarcus Robinson and Jacob Cowing early in the season. Aiyuk is certainly worth stashing given he might only miss the first month of the season, if he does miss that much time.
Jul 18, 2025 6:06 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is expected to start the 2025 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which would sideline him for the first four games as he recovers from ACL and MCL tears in his right knee that he suffered in October of last year, per 49ers Webzone's David Bonilla. The Niners have already said that Aiyuk won't be ready for the start of training camp on July 22, and he's unlikely to be ready to go for Week 1 against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 7. However, the 27-year-old wideout has looked great during his rehab this offseason, which suggests there's still a chance he could be ready for the season opener. San Fran will likely play it safe with Aiyuk, who disappointed with 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns in 2024 before his injury. Even with Deebo Samuel Sr. gone, Aiyuk will face plenty of competition for targets when he returns, and will he even be the same receiver? His fantasy stock has taken a huge hit going into 2025.
Jul 10, 2025 9:05 PM EST