Brandon Aiyuk Injury Update
Brandon Aiyuk’s story with the 49ers right now is all about his knee injury and what that’s meant for his career. He got hurt in October 2024 during a game against the Chiefs. Doctors found he tore his ACL MCL and meniscus. He needed big surgery right after. Rehab from that kind of injury is rarely simple. Tearing all three of those knee ligaments is much worse than just an ACL. That’s a hard road back.
The team kept him on its physically unable to perform list for the whole 2025 season. He hasn’t played a snap this year. He hasn’t been to regular team practices. That’s over a full year lost after his surgery. The 49ers wanted him back for this season but said his progress did not meet hopes. He’s not cleared for football work. There’s no real sign that’ll change soon.
Fans worried he might return late in the season. They waited for news every week. The team always said the same thing — he’s working to come back, but nothing’s changed. He’s still not out there running routes or catching balls. Team officials admit privately that slimmer hopes exist as the year winds down.
His contract got more complicated in the background. The 49ers have already cleared out future guaranteed money in 2026 because of missed meetings and activities. Now, most news sources expect the team to release him after this season. They’ll likely move on rather than risk more time waiting. Insiders call it the end of the line for Aiyuk in San Francisco.
Aiyuk had become a critical part of their offense before the injury. In 2023, he made second-team All-Pro. His sudden absence changed everything. Without him, the 49ers receivers had to fill a big void. The front office kept saying they trusted his work ethic and hoped for a return. But reality is different when someone’s not even at practice and his recovery is slow or stuck.
Other injured players on the team have returned. But with all three major knee ligaments torn, recovery is much tougher. Most ACL injuries need about a year — this is much more complicated. Some experts compare it to injuries that end careers. Few come back as the same player. Aiyuk’s silence and absence make it clear things are not going well. Even his agent has stopped giving updates.
Right now, there is no real chance the 49ers will put him back on the field this year. His contract situation and long rehab leave his next move up in the air. Most likely, he’ll leave the team in the offseason. That means fans have probably seen his last game in a 49ers uniform. His story now is all about the road back from this brutal injury and whether he ever plays another down in the league.
Disclaimer:
This update is based on the latest available information and reports as of November 2025. Player conditions and team decisions are subject to change. Always refer to official team announcements for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
