The San Francisco 49ers have officially put wide receiver Brandon Ayiuk on the reserve/left team list. This decision follows a series of complications he suffered following a severe knee injury. This decision takes place following Ayiuk’s absence from key rehab sessions, landing him with a season ending doubtful status. The team’s decision is indicative of the changing nature of Ayiuk’s standing within the organization, as they look ahead to what their options will be in the future.
Aiyuk sustained a torn ACL in his right knee during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 20, 2024. Following his November surgery after his injury on the field in October, today he’s met with many hurdles on his path back to the field. Aiyuk began training camp on the physically unable to perform list. The 49ers activated his 21-day practice window, but in the end, he couldn’t make it back.
The fallout from Aiyuk’s injury doesn’t just affect this season. The 49ers have now voided nearly $27M in contract guarantees for 2026. This action indicates that they are bending the arc of their fiscal solvency in a new direction. Head coach Kyle Shanahan had said earlier this season that he was hoping for Aiyuk to be back by the middle of the season. After all that’s taken place in recent weeks, it seems more improbable that he puts on a 49ers jersey ever again.
“He’s been working hard, but at this point, it doesn’t seem like he’s coming back,” said George Kittle, hinting at the grim outlook for Aiyuk’s return. That’s just merely scratching the surface of how much Kittle loves Aiyuk. In his words, ” I do my best to not even think about it because I love Brandon. These sentiments reflect just how tight-knit the team is. Aiyuk’s absence will be felt not only by the players, but by the fans.
As of August 2024, the 49ers have re-signed Aiyuk to a four-year contract that pays him $120 million. This change left no doubt about where he fit with the team. Yet, with his injury forcing him out indefinitely, the organization must now make important decisions about his future. The team could label him a post-June 1 release, creating $13.325 million in dead money next season. Otherwise, they could simply choose to move on and trade him—resulting in the same financial reality.
As the offseason nears, it seems more and more inevitable that the 49ers and Aiyuk will be headed in different directions. His injury tedium/healthcare inequities setbacks have been rough. The team’s precarious financial situation may force both sides to seek greener pastures over the next few months.
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