What is Brandon Aiyuk's Timeline to Return to 49ers From Knee Injury? GM Gives Update

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been out since suffering a torn ACL and MCL and additional damage to the meniscus in his right knee during his team's 28-18 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 20, 2024.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear likely that Aiyuk will return this season.

Per comments made on KNBR, San Francisco general manager John Lynch is "not sure" it's realistic that Aiyuk comes back this year.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan also said during his appearance on KNBR that he's "still hopeful" Aiyuk will return but he's "not counting on it."

The 27-year-old Aiyuk entered the NFL in 2020 after the 49ers selected the Arizona State star with the 25th overall pick in the draft.

Aiyuk put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023. In the latter year, Aiyuk caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns en route to an NFC title.

Although the 49ers and Aiyuk had a prolonged contract standoff in 2024 that nearly led to him being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the two got a deal done for four years and $120 million.

Aiyuk had trouble getting going to begin 2024 with 25 catches for 374 and no touchdowns in six-plus games. Then he suffered a devastating knee injury that's kept him out for over a year.

Now there are some off-the-field issues right now between Aiyuk and the 49ers, to the point where it's possible he never plays for San Francisco again.

Dianna Russini and Michael Silver of The Athletic provided insight on a recent matter between the two sides.

"Aiyuk, sources say, has failed to attend meetings and declined to participate in other team activities in recent months, and the 49ers have grown increasingly frustrated with the receiver's lack of communication," Russini and Silver reported on Nov. 21.

The two also wrote that the 49ers voided "the guaranteed money in Aiyuk's contract for 2026, asserting that the absences amounted to a failure to fulfill his contractual obligations. Aiyuk, according to multiple league sources, told NFL Players Association representatives that he did not want to fight the move via an official grievance. That would clear the way for his expected release at season's end."

Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area also noted that the 49ers' maneuver makes it "highly unlikely" Aiyuk comes back next year.

In the meantime, the 49ers are fighting for the playoffs at 9-4, a half-game back of the Los Angeles Rams for first place in the NFC West. San Francisco also has a realistic chance at the NFC's No. 1 seed with the Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears all sharing the conference's best record at 9-3.

For now, the team hits the bye week before returning home to face the 1-11 Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Dec. 14.