The San Francisco 49ers were without Brandon Aiyuk during the 2024 training camp. After weeks of holdouts and trade speculation, the contract impasse was resolved in late August, and the star receiver returned with a four-year extension in hand.
But Aiyuk never made it through his first season after signing that contract, as he suffered a major injury.
Here’s the latest on Aiyuk’s injury and prognosis to return.
What Is Brandon Aiyuk’s Injury?
San Francisco lost its Week 7 Super Bowl rematch at home to the Kansas City Chiefs. Even worse, they lost Aiyuk to a major injury.
In the second quarter of the game, Aiyuk was sandwiched between defenders after a reception, with his leg bending awkwardly. After the play, he remained down on the field as medical staff treated him. He was helped to the sideline and eventually carted to San Francisco’s locker room.
The injury appeared serious in real time, and speculation only grew after replays showed the compromised position of Aiyuk’s leg during the collision with defenders. The 49ers eventually ruled him out of the rest of that game in the second half.
The initial concerns were confirmed the following day when an MRI revealed that Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee.
When Will Aiyuk Return From Injury?
Placing Aiyuk on season-ending injured reserve was an obvious move for the team following the injury diagnosis. What’s far less certain is the timeline for the receiver’s return.
Given that he tore multiple ligaments and the fact that the injury happened nearly halfway into the season, there’s no guarantee that Aiyuk will be ready to go for the start of the 2025 season. Missing the 2025 offseason program is a near certainty, and a ramping-up process during training camp or even the early stages of the regular season will be necessary before Aiyuk integrates back into the offense.
Fortunately for Aiyuk, he secured a long-term extension before suffering the season-ending knee injury. That puts him under contract with the 49ers through 2028, and the team can’t realistically move on from the wide receiver until after the 2026 season. Even if 2025 doesn’t go swimmingly, he should have another chance in 2026 to prove he’s the same impact player who earned that contract.
How Will Aiyuk’s Absence Impact the 49ers?
Aiyuk was having a down season before injuring his knee. In seven games, the 26-year-old posted 25 catches for 374 yards (147 of which came in one game) and zero touchdowns. Last season, Aiyuk hauled in 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
George Kittle and Jauan Jennings have been the Niners’ leading receivers this season, with Kittle also accounting for nearly half the team’s receiving touchdowns. Deebo Samuel Sr. has suffered reduced production while battling lower-body injuries of his own, further exacerbating Aiyuk’s absence.
Aiyuk’s injury aside, the 2024 season has been one filled with adversity from both an injury and performance standpoint for the 49ers.
Star running back Christian McCaffrey missed the first eight games of the season recovering from Achilles tendinitis, then subsequently suffered another major PCL injury in Week 13 that sent him to IR. His season is over, and the reigning Offensive Player of the Year finished with zero touchdowns in four games played.
Beyond McCaffrey, starting quarterback Brock Purdy was unable to play in Week 11 at Green Bay, and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams has missed multiple games. Kittle and Samuel have missed time this year as well.
San Francisco hung tough for much of the season through injury problems, but their playoff hopes are rapidly dwindling as their personnel losses pile up.