The San Francisco 49ers have dealt with a slew of injuries this summer. However, none is more significant than the loss of Brandon Aiyuk to an ACL and MCL injury, which he sustained in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs last season. Fans are anxious to hear if the Pro Bowler will be ready for Week 1 this season.
What’s Going On With Brandon Aiyuk? Realistic Comeback Expectation
Brandon Aiyuk’s good run was abruptly cut short last season when he tore his ACL and MCL. His road to recovery has become the 49ers’ most closely watched storyline. The seriousness of the injury always suggested a lengthy rehab.
“Brandon’s done a really good job. I’ve talked throughout the process, he had a lot that went on during that injury. … I think a lot of people remember that hit, and it was vicious. You could see, like, ‘Oh, no, we might be in trouble.’ And sure enough, we were,” 49ers GM John Lynch reflected on the process.
The team recently placed Aiyuk on the PUP list, which rules him out for at least the first four games. So the earliest he could return to the field is Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams. While Week 5 against the Rams marks the soonest possible return for Aiyuk, the tight schedule makes Week 6 versus the Bucs on October 12 a more practical target.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan highlighted that Aiyuk’s return remains uncertain, with a wide range of possibilities.
“I usually think around Week 6, but that could shift to Week 5 or even Week 10 — that’s the window I’m focused on,” Shanahan explained.
GM Lynch stressed the importance of patience. “We won’t commit to a specific timeline, but when he’s back, we expect him to play at the high level he’s known for. His return will be a major boost for our team.”
Aiyuk’s 2024 Season
Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension with the 49ers on August 30, 2024. He made an immediate impact, recording eight receptions for 147 yards in a narrow 24–23 loss to the Cardinals in Week 5.
However, his season took a devastating turn on October 20, when he tore his ACL and MCL during the Week 7 matchup against the Chiefs, ruling him out for the remainder of the year. Aiyuk finished the 2024 season with 25 receptions for 374 yards across seven games.
