49ers say WR Brandon Aiyuk (knee) 'not close' to return
Oct 20, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) walks on the field before the start of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is "not close" to returning from the physically unable to perform list, general manager John Lynch said Thursday.
The club originally had targeted a Week 6 return for the 27-year-old veteran, who still is rehabbing a torn right ACL sustained last October.
Lynch said there have been no setbacks, explaining it is taking longer than expected because his tear wasn't "clean" and there was other damage in the knee.
Aiyuk posted 25 receptions for 374 yards and no touchdowns over seven games last season after developing into a star over the previous two campaigns.
He caught a career-high 78 passes for 1,015 yards and a career-best eight TDs in 2022, and hauled in 75 catches for a career-high 1,342 yards in 2023.
Drafted in the first round (25th overall) in 2020, Aiyuk has recorded 294 receptions for 4,305 yards and 25 TDs in 69 games (67 starts) with the 49ers.
--Field Level Media
Bengals Have No More Excuses Entering the 2026 NFL Season
MLB Player Props Today: Best Bets for Wednesday, July 22
Why the WNBA Won't Monetize Sophie Cunningham's Viral Point
What Prediction Markets Are Telling Us About NFL 2026 MVP
The Sacramento Kings Need to Blow It Up Before It's Too Late
- MLB Best Bets: Jacob Misiorowski, Dylan Cease Lead Monday's Top Picks
- Athletics vs. Diamondbacks Predictions: Best Bets, Odds and Props for Monday
- UFC Fight Night Best Betting Picks for Du Plessis vs. Usman in OKC
- France vs. England Best Bets: Three Picks for the World Cup Third-Place Match
- Dodgers vs. Yankees Friday July 17 Best Betting Picks and Props
- July 17 White Sox vs. Blue Jays Prediction, Odds and Best Bets
- Three MLB Futures Bets to Make After the All-Star Break
