The San Francisco 49ers have yet to open Brandon Aiyuk's practice window as the wide receiver continues to recover from the ACL and MCL injuries he suffered last season. That decision has raised questions among fans and media members about whether Aiyuk will return to the field in 2025. After all, only six games remain following Sunday's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
General manager John Lynch joined Bay Area radio station KNBR on Thursday and was asked whether there's a chance Aiyuk might not play at all this season.
"That's not the intention," Lynch said. "The intention is to get Brandon back. We're not there yet, and so we'll continue to have him excel at his rehab, and we just got to get him to a place where we're comfortable to open that window and then see if he can he can make it back on the field."
Lynch remains hopeful that the 49ers will see Aiyuk return to action, though he stopped short of making any promises. Simply opening the practice window wouldn't guarantee that Aiyuk regains his role as a key offensive weapon for San Francisco.
"That is the intention—to get him back on the field—but we'll see," Lynch added. "No absolutes there, and you just take it as it comes there."
Aiyuk last played on October 20, 2024, and struggled to find his rhythm during his seven game appearances before the injury. It remains uncertain how much he'll be able to contribute this season if he does return, but his presence could be a major boost for the 49ers' offense as they make their final playoff push.