Wide Receiver Brandon Aiyuk Files for Reinstatement with NFL and 49ers

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has taken steps toward a potential return to the NFL by filing paperwork to be reinstated from the reserve/left squad list. According to his new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, Aiyuk is fully healthy and scheduled to report to the team's training facility.

Aiyuk has not played a game in more than two years. His last appearance came on October 20, 2024, during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he suffered a severe knee injury tearing his right ACL, MCL, and meniscus. Following the injury, a lengthy dispute developed between the player and the organization regarding his rehabilitation process and attendance at mandatory workouts.

The friction escalated late last season when Aiyuk stopped visiting the facility, leading the 49ers to place him on the reserve/left squad list, a designation where he did not receive pay and did not count against the active roster. During the offseason, the team voided approximately $27 million in guaranteed money from his contract after he missed required check-ins and rehabilitation sessions. He also parted ways with his former agent, Ryan Williams, before recently hiring Rosenhaus.

Rosenhaus confirmed that Aiyuk officially submitted his reinstatement request to the NFL and is ready to get back on the field. The sudden move places pressure on the San Francisco front office as they evaluate their options. With the trade deadline approaching, the organization must decide whether to keep him under his current contract, attempt to find a trade partner, or release him outright.

During the summer, Aiyuk frequently hinted at a desire to play for the Washington Commanders alongside his former Arizona State teammate and quarterback Jayden Daniels. However, analysts note that trade interest may be limited due to uncertainty surrounding his current abilities and contract situation, making a release by the 49ers a strong possibility once he is officially reinstated.

Before his major knee injury, Aiyuk was a highly productive contributor for San Francisco. Selected No. 25 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 after recording 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. As he prepares to report back to the facility, his future with the franchise remains uncertain.