Brandon Aiyuk Files for Reinstatement, Will Report to 49ers Friday
Once Aiyuk reports, San Francisco has to keep him, cut him or trade him, with the deadline five days later
Brandon Aiyuk is coming back to Santa Clara, at least for now. The receiver has turned in his paperwork to be reinstated and will report to the 49ers' facility Friday afternoon, his agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
"Brandon is healthy and ready to get back on the field," Rosenhaus said.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has turned in paperwork to be reinstated, per his agent Drew Rosenhaus. Aiyuk, who currently is on San Francisco’s Reserve/Left Squad list, will be reporting to the 49ers’ training facility Friday afternoon, per Drew Rosenhaus. “Brandon is healthy and ready to get back on the field,” Rosenhaus said.View on X →
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter): Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has turned in paperwork to be reinstated, per his agent Drew Rosenhaus. Aiyuk, who currently is on San Francisco’s Reserve/Left Squad list, will be reporting to the 49ers’ training facility Friday afternoon, per Drew Rosenhaus. “Brandon is healthy and ready to get back on the field,” Rosenhaus said.
It's the next step after Aiyuk hired Rosenhaus with the goal of getting back on an NFL field. He's currently on San Francisco's reserve/left squad list, and once he officially reports, the 49ers can't turn him away. Schefter laid out the options: keep him under his current contract, release him, or find a trade partner before Tuesday's deadline.
Keeping him looks unlikely. Kyle Shanahan was asked in September whether Aiyuk was an option and said no, and Mike Garafolo noted Wednesday that this will seemingly result in Aiyuk's release. San Francisco has tried and failed to trade him before.
Aiyuk hasn't played since Oct. 20, 2024, when he tore the ACL, MCL and meniscus in his right knee against the Chiefs. The relationship broke down from there. In July 2025 the 49ers voided roughly $27 million in guaranteed money on his deal over missed rehab sessions and check-ins, he stopped showing up at the facility, and he didn't report to camp this summer.
If he's released, Aiyuk becomes a free agent in the middle of the season, coming off a long layoff, and any receiver-needy contender could take a look. If a trade materializes, it would have to happen fast, with the deadline set for Tuesday, Nov. 10.