The San Francisco 49ers may start their 2024 regular season without wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk as he continues to rehabilitate a serious knee injury. During a Thursday appearance on KNBR’s The Murph & Markus Show, 49ers general manager John Lynch expressed doubt that Aiyuk will be ready to play in the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on September 7.
Progress and Rehab Status Detailed by John Lynch
John Lynch provided an update on Aiyuk’s recovery, emphasizing the careful steps required given the severity of his injury.
“There’s just steps that you have to continue to hit and I’ll continue to say that Brandon is doing well in his rehab,”
Lynch said.
“Do we have an exact date right now? No. I don’t think it’ll be Week 1, but hopefully I’m surprised. We want him fully healthy. He had a significant injury, so you have to do a significant rehab.”
Aiyuk’s Injury Origin and Impact on 2024 Season
Aiyuk sustained a torn ACL and MCL in Week 7 of the 2024 season during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as training camp started, Aiyuk faces a minimum four-game absence if he remains on that list through the season’s start. Prior to the injury, Aiyuk had 25 receptions for 347 yards but no touchdowns over seven games in 2024, coming off a 2023 campaign where he earned All-Pro recognition.
Wide Receiver Challenges Intensify as Season Approaches
The 49ers’ receiving corps has been further tested with multiple injuries during training camp. Jauan Jennings, who has been sidelined by a calf injury in recent days while negotiating a contract extension, remains an important option for the team. Meanwhile, rookie Ricky Pearsall, the 2024 first-round pick, started camp on the PUP list but has since made a strong return in recent practices.
Offensive Adjustments Anticipated If Aiyuk Misses Early Games
If Aiyuk is unavailable at the start of the season, San Francisco’s offense will rely heavily on Jennings, Pearsall, and star tight end George Kittle to support quarterback Brock Purdy. The team will need these key players to step up in order to maintain their competitive edge in the early games of the season.