Brandon Aiyuk Files for Reinstatement, Reports Friday

Brandon Aiyuk is finally making his move. The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver has turned in paperwork to be reinstated, and he plans to report to the team's facility Friday afternoon, agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday.

That puts the 49ers on the clock. San Francisco's general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan have said repeatedly that Aiyuk has played his last snap for the team, and the NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. Once he reports, the Niners have to decide whether to keep him, trade him or release him.

How Brandon Aiyuk Got Here

"Brandon is healthy and ready to get back on the field," Rosenhaus said. It's been a long road to that sentence. Aiyuk hasn't played since Oct. 20, 2024, when he tore the ACL, MCL and meniscus in his right knee against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Things went sideways from there. In July 2025, the 49ers voided roughly $27 million in guaranteed money on his contract because he didn't do the required rehab sessions and check-ins. He was placed on the reserve/left squad list in December after he stopped showing up at the facility, and when he didn't report to training camp this July, he moved to the reserve/did not report list. While he's on that list, the 49ers aren't paying him and he doesn't count against the roster.

Over the summer, Aiyuk took shots at the team on social media and hinted that he wanted to join the Washington Commanders and his old Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels. In September, with the 49ers banged up at receiver, Shanahan was asked about a reunion. His answer was "no."

What the 49ers Do Now

San Francisco's tried and failed to trade him before. ESPN reported that if he's reinstated, the more likely outcome is a release. That would make him a free agent, and it's unclear whether Washington's still an option after the Commanders signed Stefon Diggs.

The talent's real, which is why this matters. Before the injury, Aiyuk had 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023 and made second-team All-Pro. He's 28 now and two years removed from the knee injury, so whoever takes a chance on him is betting he can still get open like that.

If you're a Niners fan, Friday's the day this saga finally gets an ending. If you're a fan of a receiver-needy contender, you're refreshing the transaction wire all weekend.

Smacktok pick lean: Hold off on any Aiyuk receiving lines until he's actually on a roster and practicing. He hasn't taken a regular-season snap in more than two years.