Kyle Shanahan: Brandon Aiyuk’s Absence Reaches One Month Mark
The San Francisco 49ers have officially placed Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list, marking the end of his 2025 season. This decision comes as Aiyuk has been recovering from a torn ACL sustained during the previous season.
Kyle Shanahan Addresses Aiyuk’s Absence
Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters following the 49ers’ recent victory over the Tennessee Titans. He shared that Aiyuk has been out of contact with the team for an extended period. “I mean, I haven’t seen him in forever,” Shanahan stated. He emphasized that Aiyuk’s absence has not negatively impacted the team’s performance.
Shanahan explained that the team has continued to perform well, managing without Aiyuk for the past month. He said, “It’s been pretty simple for me. I haven’t seen him in a month, and the team is used to that.”
Future Considerations for Aiyuk
While discussing Aiyuk’s future prospects, Shanahan revealed that the team has yet to make firm decisions regarding his status. “I wouldn’t say that’s for sure been decided,” he remarked. Aiyuk remains under contract for the next year, and Shanahan acknowledged their past positive relationship.
- Aiyuk’s history with the team: First-round draft pick in 2020.
- Career stats: Appeared in 69 games, made 67 starts.
- Received 294 passes for a total of 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Impacts on the 49ers’ Receiver Corps
Shanahan noted that the team had not been relying on Aiyuk during the 2025 season. “We’ve been playing with our receivers group all year,” he mentioned. While he expressed hope for Aiyuk’s return, he indicated that there were no expectations for it.
“That would’ve been a great bonus,” Shanahan added, reflecting on the potential impact of having Aiyuk back on the field. However, he concluded that everyone involved expected Aiyuk’s absence to continue for the foreseeable future.
