Brandon Aiyuk Injury Update & 2025 Fantasy Football Outlook

With the 2025 fantasy football season on the horizon, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk continues to be a topic of interest for managers with his established ceiling and ongoing injury issues. Following a breakout 2023 season that solidified him as a WR1, Aiyuk's 2024 season ended prematurely with a serious knee injury, and his availability for next season is still uncertain. 

With recovery timeline clouded by fog and redefined 49ers depth chart, fantasy managers are faced with weighing Aiyuk's upside against risk. Below, we examine his injury situation, pre-injury performance, San Francisco receiving corps, and fantasy situation, including relevant Average Draft Position (ADP) information for PPR scoring leagues.

Brandon Aiyuk Injury Update

The 2025 NFL season status of Aiyuk remains in doubt since he is recovering from a serious knee injury on October 20, 2024, against the Kansas City Chiefs. ACL and MCL of his right knee were torn and required surgery after swelling subsided three weeks later. Through June 2025, no return date has been given by the 49ers regarding his return, which keeps fantasy owners in the dark about his status.

News in January 2025 is that Aiyuk's rehab has been going better. General Manager John Lynch informed the NFL Scouting Combine in February 2025 that Aiyuk "was doing really well" and moving in the right direction, with trainers acknowledging his work ethic.

 A mention of a future follow-up test to help determine his recovery timeline was made. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in March 2025 that Aiyuk's surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, was pleased with how he was recovering and showed a possibility of a midseason return around October 2025, which is speculation right now. 

Head Coach Kyle Shanahan expressed cautious optimism in April 2025 at the NFL Annual Meeting and stated that there's a "chance" Aiyuk might be back for Week 1 but made it clear that it's too early to make absolute statements without heading into training camp.

Dependent upon the severity of the injury to Aiyuk and possible associated ligament damage, recovery times will be variable. Sports medicine professionals estimate ACL and MCL sprains can often take 9-12 months of full recovery time, with extreme cases taking as long as 15 months. A worst-case rehabilitation scenario might have Aiyuk on the field at training camp by the end of July 2025, and a conservative time of recovery would be midseason. The psychological rehabilitation phase, including the overcoming of fears of re-injury, will also be important.

Brandon Aiyuk Stats

Prior to his 2024 injury, Aiyuk was a central part of the 49ers' pass game, although his play suffered from a holdout over his contract which curtailed offseason training. 

In seven games, he accumulated 25 receptions on 47 targets for 374 yards at an average of 15 yards per reception, but without scoring touchdowns. This was a decline from his 2023 season, when he had 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and 7 touchdowns, including second-team All-Pro honors. Below are Aiyuk's NFL statistics from 2020 through 2024:

Aiyuk's 2023 campaign exhibited WR1 fantasy upside with his 83.9 yards per contest and 71.4% catch rate. His 2024 output, marred by the holdout and injury, demonstrates the risk for fantasy operators who are counting on a speedy return to all-world production in 2025.

San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Without Deebo Samuel and Aiyuk, the 49ers wide receiver depth chart is altered. The June 2025 projected depth chart is:

Aiyuk is a starter but sports a questionable (Q) designation because of healing. Jauan Jennings and rookie Ricky Pearsall, both healing from injury, are expected to be major contributors. Demarcus Robinson and Jacob Cowing are depth players, but the 49ers look to the 2025 NFL Draft to complete receiver talent.

Brandon Aiyuk Fantasy Football Outlook

Aiyuk's 2025 fantasy hope is a high-risk, high-reward selection, as evidenced by his present PPR Average Draft Position (ADP) at WR47 (#86 overall). His established WR1 production in 2023 (1,342 yards, 7 touchdowns) makes him a tempting selection if he can regain the rhythm, but his knee injury and return timeline are gigantic risk. 

A midseason return in October of 2025 would see Aiyuk missing the first 4-8 weeks, potentially beginning on the PUP list, which would cause him to miss a minimum of four games.

Even upon his return, Aiyuk may take some time to be as explosive as before injury, as multi-ligament injuries take a while to permit a player to get back to his or her full potential. Comparisons with 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga, who took some time to regain form from a 2023 ACL injury, state the same. The 49ers' offense, which spreads targets to George Kittle (TE3, #46 overall) and Christian McCaffrey, and others, may limit Aiyuk's early target share.

The 49ers other receivers are fantasy-usable as well. Jauan Jennings (WR36, #65 overall) is a safe pick and may have more looks in the event that Aiyuk's return is foiled. Rookie Ricky Pearsall (WR40, #71 overall) has upside but also injury worries of his own. George Kittle is still a top tight end with a high floor for fantasy users.

For 2025 drafts, Aiyuk is a mid-late round selection who is suited best for managers who will hold him at the start of the season. In keeper or dynasty leagues, his contract extension through 2028 keeps him on ice as he is a targeted receiver. Keep an eye on training camp news in late August 2025 for clearance on his availability for Week 1.

Jennings and Pearsall are also good waiver wire options for managers looking for 49ers' pass play action, and Kittle is still a top-level pick at tight end. Draft Aiyuk with caution, weighing his upside against the possibility of a slow or incremental return.

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