49ers fans just got hit with a bucket of cold water after the latest update on a premier offensive weapon in San Francisco
Brandon Aiyuk will need more time.
If you thought Brandon Aiyuk could soon return to the football field, well, you will need to have more patience. Even if the wide receiver is eligible to return from the physically unable to perform list next week, he’s not close to his return.
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch shared an update on the situation, and it’s not what fans wanted to hear.
“No setbacks. There’s different levels with the ACL, Brandon had a significant injury,” Lynch told KNRB. “He’s a really gifted athlete and a really hard worker. There’s no absolutes on these things, he’s gotta continue to hit markers. We’ll be a better team when Brandon’s out there, so we look forward to that day, but it’s not close. When we have some more info on that, we’ll be forthright with it.”
ACL tears in the NFL usually take something around nine to 12 months of recovery. Aiyuk suffered the injury on October 20, 2024, so his significant injury will reach or even surpass that average expected timeline. The receiver also tore his MCL, but that’s a less impactful injury.
Aiyuk was coming off a career year with the 49ers. In 2023, he had 75 catches for 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns. Last year, in seven games, he had 25 catches for 374 yards. Last year, he had signed a four-year, $120 million extension to stay with the Niners after a long and tense negotiation—he nearly got traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With Brandon Aiyuk on PUP, the wide receivers on the 49ers’ 53-man roster are Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and rookie Jordan Watkins.
More injury updates
John Lynch also talked about quarterback Brock Purdy, who’s missed the past two games with a toe injury. That’s certainly a more promising situation, since Purdy returned to practice this week.
“I can tell you he practiced [on Wednesday], and he’s at a better place than he was on Sunday,” Lynch explained. “He looked really good. We’ll see how he responds today, but his progression has really been a good one.”
In regards to tight end George Kittle, who’s on IR due to a hamstring injury, Lynch didn’t have many details. Kittle has to miss at least two more games.
“George is doing really well,” Lynch added. “He’s putting in a lot of really good work. The presence he has is really unique and special. It’s killing him not being out there.”
The 49ers started the season with a 3-0 record. Over the next two weeks, the team plays the Jacksonville Jaguars in Santa Clara, then it has a huge NFC West game at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5.
