Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL in his right knee during the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs in October 2024. That injury ended his season. Across seven games before going down, he compiled 25 receptions for 374 yards and no touchdowns.
What is Brandon Aiyuk’s Injury, and When Will He Return to Action?
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.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan hinted that Aiyuk targets a return around Week 6 of the 2025 season. However, both Shanahan and General Manager John Lynch have emphasized it is a projection, not a guaranteed date.
The timeline will depend 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 said, “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.” 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.
Because of reserve/PUP rules, Aiyuk must miss the first four regular‑season games before he is eligible to begin his 21‑day practice window. With San Francisco facing a Thursday short-week game in Week 5, most analysts consider Week 6 vs. Tampa Bay the earliest realistic opportunity for a return, assuming his rehab remains on schedule and he clears medical benchmarks.
Brandon Aiyuk
Week 5 (or 6). 👀
pic.twitter.com/qN8xIkYyi7— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 17, 2025
Aiyuk’s track record raises expectations. 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.
Read More: What Happened to Brandon Aiyuk? Latest Injury Update for the 49ers WR Who’s Out in Week 2
Those performances underscore what quarterback Brock Purdy and the 49ers expect when he returns, and why his absence is keenly felt. With Deebo Samuel traded this offseason, the 49ers have raised expectations for Aiyuk to help lead the receiving corps when he returns.
In his absence, second‑year WR Ricky Pearsall is getting more attention and opportunity, while Jauan Jennings is also seeing an expanded role, but is sidelined due to an injury.
Tight end George Kittle remains among Purdy’s most trusted targets. How well San Francisco navigates its passing game early on, given injuries, could have implications not only for their record but also for how carefully the team manages Aiyuk’s return.