If there were any chance at reconciliation between the 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk before today, it’s likely gone now. Today, San Francisco placed the former first-round pick on the reserve/left squad list, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. As a result, he will be ineligible to play for the remainder of the season, making an offseason departure all the more likely. 
Aiyuk hasn’t played since tearing his right ACL, MCL, and meniscus in Week 7 of 2024. The injury came a couple of months after he signed a four-year, $120MM extension with the 49ers. The relationship between the two sides has fallen apart since then. Aiyuk didn’t attend offseason appointments to rehab his knee in the offseason, leading the 49ers to void his 2026 guarantees last July. While Aiyuk had a 50-day window to file a grievance through the NFLPA, he didn’t take any action during that span. He lost out on over $26MM as a result.
Still recovering from last year’s injury, Aiyuk spent the season on the reserve/PUP list before today. Earlier this month, general manager John Lynch expressed hope that the team would open Aiyuk’s practice window at some point. Doing so would have given the playoff-contending 49ers 21 days to evaluate Aiyuk. That will not happen, though, and this will go down as a lost season for Aiyuk.
The placement on reserve/left squad list is a unique one, usually reserved for players who plan to retire or quit on their team. In addition to all of the money Aiyuk has already lost throughout this season-long saga, Jason Fitzgerald of Overthecap.com claims that the 49ers may be allowed to go after Aiyuk’s signing and option bonus money in the wake of how things have now played out.
There was already plenty of speculation that Aiyuk’s time in the Bay Area was coming to an end, but this all but confirms it. Whether through offseason trade or an outright release, it’s just hard to picture Aiyuk playing in red and gold again.
In addition to the transaction that effectively ended Aiyuk’s tenure in San Francisco, the 49ers also announced that linebacker Jalen Graham and defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez would serve as standard gameday practice squad elevations for tomorrow’s game. This will be Graham’s third and final elevation of the season. If the team wants to see him play in another game this year, they’ll need to sign him to the 53-man roster.
Connor Byrne contributed to this post.
Bye Felecia
Commanders Steelers, make some calls lol
For next season I’m guessing?
Yup
Stupid career move. Who would want him after he quit on helping this team go back to the SB? Is he frustrated over injuries that arent healing properly?
He got paid and stopped caring
Except they’re taking his money back. Does he have an agent or manager or anyone that gives a crap about him? Yikes.
How do you “take money back” that you haven’t given him? His guarantees were for NEXT YEAR and the guarantees required he follow stipulations that he didn’t follow. How do you “give a crap” about someone who doesn’t give a crap?
He’ll look good in a Patriots or Bills uniform next year as both teams need a WR1
Steelers commanders make more sense. Even jets
Apparently he got hit in the head one too many times…..great talent….
But, a little weak upstairs
Ive disliked him from the day he was drafted. So im bias…but based on the fact that he didn’t even file a grievance and lost 26m, shows he’s completely a head case. Glad he’s gone
Like guys who don’t wanna play and have hige salaries?
Im willing to send Samuel back!