The San Francisco 49ers’ injuries piled up in the 2024 season. A few offensive players missed a fair amount of time. That included WR Brandon Aiyuk.
The 27-year-old tore his ACL and MCL against the Chiefs in his seventh week defeat. Brandon Aiyuk is on the PUP list to launch the 2025 season. General Manager John Lynch provided the latest updates on Iyuk’s recovery timeline. Brandon Ayyuk has not suffered from a set-up, but Lynch said WR has returned from a knee injury and is “not approaching.”
San Francisco patiently waits for Brandon Iyuk’s return
49ers GM John Lynch said @knbr That WR Brandon Ayyuk “is not approaching” to return from a knee injury he suffered almost a year ago. Not just the ACL, but there was more damage and more recovery time.
-Adam Scha After (@adamscha after) September 25th, 2025
On the 25th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected Brandon Aiyuk from Arizona. In five professional seasons, Aiyuk played 69 games and got off to a 67 start. He spent back-to-back seasons in 2022 and 2023 with over 75 receptions and at least 1,000 yards. Unfortunately, Brandon Iyuk suffered a devastating knee injury during the 2024 season. The veteran WR missed San Francisco’s final 10 games in the 2024 regular season due to tears in the ACL and MCL.
Brandon Ayyuk has returned to the field after undergoing knee surgery this offseason. Recently, general manager John Lynch provided an update on Iyuk. WR had no set-offs, but Lynch pointed out that he was “not approaching” his return. The 27-year-old is on the PUP list to start the 49ers season. He’s been out for at least the first four weeks.
#49ers WR Brandon Iyuk “is not approaching” to come back, according to GM. @knbr. There were no set-offs, but Aiyuk’s ACL tears were not clean and included other damage, leading to a longer timeline for his return. pic.twitter.com/o0doskenke
– Ari Meirov (@mysportsupdate) September 25th, 2025
Aiyuk then has a 21-day window that is activated on a roster of 53 people. If he is not activated at the end of that 21-day window, Ayyuk will miss the entire 2025 season. This Sunday is the 49ers’ fourth week. The team is 3-0, but they handle a large number of injuries in the offense. In addition to Brandon Iyuk’s on the show, George Kittle is currently in IR.
He suffered a hamstring injury in San Francisco’s Week 1 victory vs Seattle. General Manager John Lynch made a positive injury update for Kittle. Lynch pointed out that Kittle is “really doing well.” The first games he qualifies for return are Week 6 and the Buccaneers. With the exception of a setback, expect Kittle to return to the field before his matchup with Tampa Bay. John Lynch said he shows “risqué leadership” even when George Kittle is not playing.
