Brandon Aiyuk Aiming for Week 6 Return, But Timeline Remains Fluid

Brandon Aiyuk’s return to the 49ers’ lineup is targeted for around Week 6 of the 2025 season, but head coach Kyle Shanahan emphasized Monday that the timeline is far from set in stone.

Aiyuk, who missed the final 10 games of 2024 after tearing both his ACL and MCL, is on track to possibly return for the October 12 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, Shanahan made it clear that Aiyuk’s recovery is a moving target, with a range of potential return dates.

“I kind of view all those guys around the same time,” Shanahan said when asked about Aiyuk, referencing other injured players like safety Malik Mustapha and quarterback Kurtis Rourke. “Whether it’s Week 5, Week 6, Week 10 — that’s the area where I start thinking about it, which is a long way away. I know it’s not Week 1 or anything like that, so it’s something I’m not really thinking about too much.”

This is the clearest target the team has given for Aiyuk’s return, though Shanahan noted back in July that while Aiyuk was progressing well, no firm timetable had been set.

The 27-year-old wide receiver is entering his sixth NFL season after being selected in the first round of the 2020 draft. He missed significant time last year, missing training camp for the second straight year. Following back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns, Aiyuk held out during 2024 training camp amid contract talks and trade rumors, eventually securing an extension. He managed just 374 yards and no touchdowns on 25 catches before his knee injury in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs ended his season.

While Week 6 is the hopeful target, the 49ers and fans will be watching closely as Aiyuk’s recovery progresses before fully counting on his return.