The San Francisco 49ers may be waiting awhile before wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk gets on the field.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter on the most recent episode of his podcast had a positive update on Aiyuk, but the possible timeline he floated isn’t necessarily great news for Aiyuk or the 49ers.
“From what I understand, Dr. Neal ElAttrache is pleased with his progress. He’s coming along,” Schefter said. “I would think he’s ready to play by midseason.”
Midseason is probably not what the 49ers were hoping for when Aiyuk went down with a knee injury in a Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last season.
In 2023, safety Talanoa Hufanga tore his ACL in Week 12 and managed to return in Week 3 of the 2024 campaign. Aiyuk suffered more than just an ACL tear in his knee which could explain the additional time for his recovery.
The biggest key for Aiyuk in 2025 will be getting back on the field at all. It’s unlikely he’ll be in All-Pro form this season, especially if he’s not returning until the middle of the year, but he’s still a good, young player who figures to be a piece of the 49ers’ core long-term. Ideally he’d heal quickly enough to return by Week 1, but getting on the field mid-year and beginning the ramp up to 2026 wouldn’t be a bad consolation.