SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Huge receiver Brandon Aiyuk has but to return to the San Francisco 49ers after struggling a devastating proper knee harm in October 2024. With six video games left within the common season, it is more and more doable he will not play for them once more.
Throughout coaching camp, the 49ers voided Aiyuk’s assured cash for 2026 as a result of he had not been assembly the necessities of that deal, a league supply stated Friday. The Athletic first reported the contract alteration, which incorporates an possibility bonus value $24.935 million. That bonus initially turned assured April 1 of this 12 months and has now been voided.
Aiyuk can also be scheduled to obtain a $1.215 million base wage and has bonuses for exercises and per-game appearances. However it’s unclear whether or not any of that can be paid, because the voiding of his 2026 ensures clears the way in which for the Niners to half methods with him quickly.
For now, the query stays whether or not Aiyuk will play this season. He tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus in a Week 7 loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in 2024 and has been rehabilitating.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan stated throughout coaching camp that the crew hoped Aiyuk would return to observe someday round Week 7. On Monday, Shanahan stated Aiyuk’s standing hasn’t modified.
“Brandon’s simply week-to-week,” Shanahan stated. “When he had such a giant harm like that, simply ready till he’s totally snug to come back up and begin practising.”
In line with a supply, Aiyuk has nonetheless not been cleared to return. That, after all, doesn’t imply the 49ers have been proud of the scenario, which started a number of months earlier than he signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension Aug. 29, 2024.
That extension got here collectively after an extended standoff wherein Aiyuk was practically traded to the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers at numerous phases.
Simply earlier than the Niners practically traded Aiyuk to Pittsburgh, he and Shanahan appeared to determine issues out, and Aiyuk agreed to signal the supply.
However quickly after, there have been indicators of discord, together with a public disagreement between Shanahan and Aiyuk on the observe discipline wherein Aiyuk was instructed to vary from the crimson shorts he was sporting into the black ones the remainder of the crew was sporting.
After not collaborating in coaching camp in 2024 because of the contract dispute, Aiyuk struggled by the primary 4 video games however gave the impression to be rounding into type in Week 5 when he had eight catches for 147 yards towards the Arizona Cardinals. Two weeks later, he suffered the season-ending knee harm towards the Chiefs.
Had it not been for that harm, the Niners had hoped to commerce Aiyuk within the offseason, based on sources. However with well being issues and his profitable deal, a severe commerce market by no means materialized.
Regardless of not enjoying, Aiyuk was a constant presence at observe throughout coaching camp, even incomes reward from receivers coach Leonard Hankerson for his willingness to assist the crew’s different wideouts.
Although Aiyuk has attended exercises and rehab, he hasn’t been on the portion of observe open to media in weeks and has not been across the locker room throughout media periods, both.
Aiyuk stays on the bodily unable to carry out record. As a result of Aiyuk just isn’t on injured reserve, he wouldn’t depend towards the crew’s restrict of eight gamers it may possibly convey again from that record, which means the 49ers might open Aiyuk’s window to observe with out him enjoying in a recreation.
On Nov. 5, Shanahan was requested if Aiyuk might play this season.
“I am fairly assured that he’s going to finally,” Shanahan stated then. “A minimum of, open up his observe window.”
The 49ers are scheduled to carry their final observe of the week Saturday afternoon forward of Monday evening’s recreation towards the Carolina Panthers. Shanahan is about to talk after observe.
