The San Francisco 49ers will not open the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) this week, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The same goes for fellow wideout Jacob Cowing (hamstring). A report surfaced last week that the 49ers voided guarantees in Aiyuk's four-year contract extension, which could lead to the 27-year-old former first-rounder sitting out the entire 2025 campaign. If that happens, the 49ers would likely release him at season's end. Fantasy managers who have been stashing Aiyuk all season long might not get to use him at all. It's good news for the rest-of-season outlooks for both Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, as well as tight end George Kittle. Aiyuk has been recovering from his season-ending injury last year, in which he tore both his ACL and MCL.
Nov 26, 2025 3:44 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) continues to recover from last year's ACL injury, and NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that Aiyuk is "close to being cleared" for a return. The receiver's 21-day practice window hasn't been opened yet, but the 49ers remain hopeful that he'll get back on the field in the near future. San Francisco's receiving corps could use the help as Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall have been underwhelming, combining for 53 catches, 705 yards, and three touchdowns while managing their respective injuries. Aiyuk could become an instant WR2 or WR3 in fantasy football upon his return, but an exact timetable for his activation remains unclear. This isn't the only news story we've seen about Aiyuk this week, though. A few days ago, Dianna Russini and Michael Silver of The Athletic reported that Aiyuk and the Niners were headed for a "stunning split" after the team voided his 2026 guarantees for a failure to meet contractual obligations, creating a clear path to his release next offseason. While Russini and Silver wrote that Aiyuk has likely played his final game for the 49ers, Garafolo's report seems to clarify that he'll have a good chance to get back on the field in 2025 before the team makes a decision on his future during the offseason.
Nov 23, 2025 11:55 AM EST
The San Francisco 49ers have voided wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's (knee) 2026 guarantees, sources tell Michael Silver of The Athletic. Just 15 months after Aiyuk signed a four-year contract extension worth $120 million, he and the 49ers look headed for a divorce. It wasn't long after the 27-year-old former first-rounder signed that extension that he suffered a season-ending knee injury last October. Aiyuk was put on the Physically Unable to Perform list in July and has yet to be activated. According to numerous sources briefed on the matter, it's "now likely that he has played his last game with the franchise." Aiyuk has failed to attend meetings and hasn't taken part in other team activities in recent months, and the Niners are "growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of communication." So not only is it unlikely that Aiyuk plays again for San Fran, but it seems the team will release him at season's end. For fantasy purposes, there are real questions as to whether he can regain his pre-injury form in 2026 after he tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus on Oct. 20 of 2024.
Nov 21, 2025 7:15 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is over a year removed from his injury and should be nearing a return based on the team's expectations coming into the season. However, he still hasn't had his 21-day practice window opened, and that won't happen this week, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. While he's eligible to return at any point, the fact that he hasn't returned to practice at all yet indicates he's still multiple weeks away from making a significant fantasy impact. If you can stash him in an IR spot, he still could make a difference down the road, but for now, there are probably better options to have on your bench in most formats.
Nov 18, 2025 10:38 AM EST
The San Francisco 49ers won't open the practice windows for either wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) or Jacob Cowing (hamstring) this week, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Aiyuk, who has been out all year since tearing multiple ligaments in his knee in Week 7 of 2024, remains "week-to-week. Cowing, meanwhile, will not have his practice window opened until after the team's Week 14 bye. Aiyuk will not make his season debut in Week 12 versus the Carolina Panthers, and he's probably unlikely to return in Week 13 against the Cleveland Browns, either. Time is running out for the 27-year-old former first-rounder to make an impact for fantasy managers who have been stashing him all year. The Niners have a good matchup coming out of their bye in Week 15 against the Titans, but even if Aiyuk can play in that game, he'd be a very risky option for those playing in the first week of the fantasy playoffs in most leagues.
Nov 17, 2025 3:31 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch left open the possibility that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) may not make it back to play at all in 2025, according to KNBR. "That's not the intention, the intention is to get Brandon back. We're not there yet, we just gotta get him to a place where we're comfortable opening that window, and see if he can make it back on the field. That is the intention. But we'll see, no absolutes there," Lynch said when asked if there was a scenario in which Aiyuk wouldn't make it back to play this year. The 27-year-old has been on the Physically Unable to Perform list all season after tearing his MCL and ACL in Week 7 of 2024. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team will not open Aiyuk's 21-day practice window this week, either, so he won't make his 2025 debut in Week 11 against the division-rival Cardinals. Fantasy managers still stashing Aiyuk may not want to get their hopes up.
Nov 13, 2025 12:17 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) remains without a concrete timetable to return after head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that the team will not open his 21-day practice window this week. Aiyuk has made steady progress in his recovery after tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs last season, but is still not quite ready to practice. The 27-year-old should be able to return at some point this season, but it's uncertain when that will be. Shanahan is "pretty confident" that Aiyuk will play this season, though he will likely be on a pitch count and won't be fully unleashed until next season following such a serious injury. Fantasy managers who have been stashing Aiyuk on injured reserve shouldn't expect much production if he can return this season, and if crunched for roster spots, he is likely safe to leave on the waiver wire.
Nov 11, 2025 11:53 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that the team will not open the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) this week, according to Noah Furtado of the San Francisco Chronicle. Aiyuk is reportedly making progress from tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 7 of last season, but he's not close to a return to practice. The 27-year-old former first-rounder will not make his 2025 debut in Week 11 against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals and probably won't be in play to return on Monday night in Week 12 against the Carolina Panthers, either. Shanahan said last week that he's "pretty confident" that Aiyuk will play this year, but fantasy managers may not want to share that same optimism. If Aiyuk does come back this year, the most likely date would be in Week 15 against the Tennessee Titans, following the team's bye in Week 14.
Nov 10, 2025 7:20 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Wednesday that he's "pretty confident" that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) will play at some point this season, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. However, the 49ers are still waiting for Aiyuk to "hit certain markers" on GPS speed measurements before opening his 21-day practice window. Once Aiyuk returns to practice, the team will have 21 days to officially activate him from the Physically Unable to Perform list. Despite the optimism, reports on Monday suggested that the 27-year-old former first-rounder wasn't close to a return to practice, so fantasy managers who have been stashing Aiyuk all year shouldn't get their hopes up. Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Week 7 of last year and probably won't be back in games for the 49ers until December.
Nov 5, 2025 6:04 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has not yet played this season as he recovers from the devastating knee injury he suffered seven games into his 2024 campaign. Aiyuk appears to be multiple weeks away from a return, as the team is not opening his 21-day practice window ahead of its Week 10 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. In his last healthy season in 2023, Aiyuk recorded 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns on 105 targets across 16 games. There's no questioning the 27-year-old's ability to be productive when he's on the field; it's just a matter of when Aiyuk's knee will be healthy enough for him to return. Fantasy managers should have minimal expectations for Aiyuk's 2025 production. Still, in leagues with IR spots, Aiyuk could be a low-risk flier worth stashing.
Nov 4, 2025 9:45 PM EST
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
Copyright 2025 Fantasy Football Calculator | Image Source: Icon Sportswire. Not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL).
Stats powered by FantasyData.com.
