San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk continues to work his way back from the ACL and MCL injuries he sustained in October 2024. The star pass catcher is expected to begin the 2025 season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, though he could be eligible to return as early as Week 6 (with Week 5 being a short week for San Francisco).
Fans were thrilled to see Aiyuk running routes and catching passes before Saturday's 49ers preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, a sign that his recovery is trending in the right direction. However, one team insider believes those pre-game activities could draw scrutiny from the league office.
Brandon Aiyuk, a sight #49ers fans can't wait to see. 🎥 by 💁🏼?♀? pic.twitter.com/9Fl82diMSM
— Tracy Sandler (@TracyFGSN) August 16, 2025
"I don't know that that's allowed, to have a PUP player running routes and catching passes from the quarterback, whether it's at practice or in the game," NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco said on the 49ers Talk podcast, via Newsweek. "So, maybe the 49ers will be hearing from the NFL on that one."
According to Newsweek, NFL rules prohibit any player on the PUP list—whether active or reserve—from practicing with their team in any capacity. It will ultimately be up to the league to determine whether the 49ers violated the policy and if a fine or penalty is warranted, as Maiocco suggests could happen.
After the game, quarterback Brock Purdy was asked about Aiyuk's pre-game activities and the receiver's mindset during his recovery progress.
"I think B.A.'s mindset has been awesome," Purdy told reporters. "On the sideline, at practice, in the locker room, just talking on the sidelines during the preseason games, you could tell he wants to be out there. And we're talking about routes and different concepts and things.
"And just overall, you could tell—obviously, he looks great, physically, progressing in the right way with his knee—but more than anything, you can tell he wants to get back out there and compete, which I love."
Before his injury in 2024, Aiyuk recorded 25 receptions for 374 yards in seven games. In 2023, he set a career high with 1,342 receiving yards, his second straight 1,000-yard season, earning a lucrative contract extension.
"The history that we've had on the field together has been awesome," Purdy added. "So, obviously, when you've got our starting X eager to get back, that's awesome. But we're going to take it one day at a time, and whenever he's able to get back out there and stuff, we'll be ready to roll."