San Francisco’s Star Receiver Back at Practice: Why They Need Him More Than Ever?
Yesterday, during the team’s media session, head coach Kyle Shanahan stated that the organizational timeline on wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s return remains unclear. However, they hope to aim for a return time around midseason. “I always see them around Week Six,” he said on Aiyuk’s potential return, “which could mean Week 10. That could be Week Five.” The former All-Pro receiver was seen running on the field earlier today on the final day of training camp, signaling the positive steps Aiyuk has taken to get to this point in his recovery process. Whichever week Aiyuk finds his way back onto the field will be an important one.
His brutal knee injury in the 49ers’ Week Seven loss against the Kansas City Chiefs wasn’t a good sight to see. Before the injury, to begin the season, Aiyuk didn’t look like himself as he dropped many open opportunities and never seemed focused on his true role in the offense. Since then, San Francisco has shown some regret after handing out his extension. However, heading into the 2025 season, once he returns, Aiyuk has a chance to erase their doubts by bouncing back from an underwhelming 2024 campaign. He’ll have all the opportunity to revert to 2023 form, revitalize his dynamic connection with Brock Purdy, and become the receiver the 49ers paid him to be.
As the offseason progresses, the 49ers have suffered several different injuries within the receiving room. Not only has Aiyuk missed all of training camp, but the majority of the team’s receivers have faced or are currently facing a major injury during the team’s offseason program. Specifically, second-year receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing experienced hamstring injuries while rookie receiver Jordan Watkins is dealing with a high ankle sprain that could sideline him for a month. Not to mention, Jauan Jennings has been out with a calf injury as he tries to negotiate a new contract extension. These circumstances make Aiyuk’s return even more anticipated and needed when it comes to the 49ers' offensive success.
Once Week Six comes around, Shanahan should be prepared to bring his injured players back into the picture. “That's the area where I start thinking about it, which is a long way away,” Shanahan said, “I know it’s not Week One or anything like that. So it’s something I’m not thinking about too much.” In the meantime, as the team gears up for the season opener against the Seahawks, their weapons group couldn’t look more depleted. With weak weapons for the first time in his career, Purdy may need to see himself transform into a ceiling raiser. Outside of George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey, there will be many questions surrounding the outlook of the offense, especially earlier in the season.
