Brandon Aiyuk is headed back to the San Francisco 49ers’ building, and his arrival puts the front office on the clock. The 28-year-old wide receiver has submitted paperwork seeking reinstatement from the reserve/left squad list, agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Rosenhaus, hired to represent Aiyuk days earlier, said his client will report to the team’s training facility on Nov. 6.
Rosenhaus left no doubt about Aiyuk’s health. Schefter later mapped out San Francisco’s options on X. He tore his right ACL, MCL, and meniscus that day.
His rehab became the breaking point. After he missed mandated rehab work and check-ins that offseason, the 49ers voided about $27 million of his guarantees during July 2025, ESPN reported. In December, San Francisco moved him to the reserve/left squad list once he quit coming around the facility.
He skipped camp this past July and began the season back under that designation. On that list, Aiyuk isn’t paid and doesn’t count against the roster. ESPN reported San Francisco’s past efforts to deal him went nowhere, and that cutting him looks more likely than a trade once he’s reinstated.
Washington hovers over any exit. Aiyuk hinted several times during the summer that he wanted to play for the Commanders alongside quarterback Jayden Daniels, a friend from their Arizona State days. ESPN noted it’s unclear whether that option survives, since Washington added veteran Stefon Diggs.
Before the injury, few receivers were more productive. San Francisco drafted Aiyuk No. 25 overall in 2020, and his 2023 season, 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, earned him second-team All-Pro. Aiyuk’s return arrives ahead of the 49ers’ Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
