Aiyuk Seeks Reinstatement, Putting 49ers’ Roster Decision in Focus

Aiyuk has filed the paperwork needed to return to the 49ers, his agent Drew Rosenhaus said. Rosenhaus, who began representing the receiver days earlier, said Aiyuk is healthy and intends to report to San Francisco’s training facility on November 6. His arrival will force the team to decide what to do with him before the NFL trade deadline on November 10.

San Francisco can keep Aiyuk under his existing contract, release him or try to trade him. The 49ers’ previous attempts to arrange a deal did not succeed, and a release appears more likely than a trade once he is reinstated. After the deadline, the team would have only the choice to retain or cut him.

Aiyuk has not played since suffering tears to his right ACL, MCL and meniscus on October 20, 2024, in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers voided roughly $27 million in guarantees in July 2025 after he missed required rehabilitation sessions and check-ins. In December, they placed him on the reserve/left squad list after he stopped attending the facility. He also missed training camp in July and began this season on the list, where he receives no pay and does not count toward the roster.

Aiyuk had expressed interest during the summer in joining Washington, where his friend Jayden Daniels plays quarterback. Whether that remains an option is uncertain after the Commanders added veteran receiver Stefon Diggs. Aiyuk, selected 25th overall in 2020, made second-team All-Pro after recording 75 catches, 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. His return comes before San Francisco’s Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.