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When will Brandon Aiyuk return and play? Will Brandon Aiyuk be back again this season? Read the latest Brandon Aiyuk injury updates and return date for Week 10 (2025).
The 49ers have been forced to deal with multiple key injuries this season, but they have still managed to go 6-3 in their first nine games. They're squarely in the playoff hunt coming down the stretch in a very competitive NFC West. One player who could make a huge difference if he's able to get healthy and make an impact is wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk has not played this season while working his way back from a serious knee injury suffered in Week 7 of last season.
When will Brandon Aiyuk return to action, and what is his fantasy football outlook when he does? Let's dive in.
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Brandon Aiyuk Injury Update
Aiyuk's injury occurred in a game against the Chiefs in mid-October of 2024, when he was hit laterally by Chamarri Conner and Trent McDuffie on a pass breakup. His knee buckled inward, but he was able to walk to the medical tent without assistance. However, he was diagnosed with both an ACL and MCL tear, which ended his season.
The 49ers have set expectations all year that Aiyuk would return in the middle of the season. He started the season on the PUP list, and during preseason, coach Kyle Shanahan estimated a Week 6 return. That proved to be a little optimistic, though, since we're now getting ready for Week 10, and the team is not ready to open his 21-day practice window to return from the PUP list.
While his return doesn't seem imminent, there is still hope he'll be back this season, according to the latest updates from ESPN's Adam Schefter. GM John Lynch reinforced that message and said that Aiyuk is "week-to-week" at this point, with his practice window hopefully being opened soon.
John Lynch (KNBR) said the 49ers are getting close to opening Brandon Aiyuk's practice window, reminds just how bad that knee injury was (hence than just-ACL longer recovery timeline):
"That was catastrophic — all 3 ligaments, he did a lot to his knee."
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) November 6, 2025
Brandon Aiyuk Fantasy Football Outlook
With Ricky Pearsall (knee) missing significant time this year and Jauan Jennings (ribs) playing through an injury, the 49ers could definitely use Aiyuk's production at the top of the receiving corps. He had 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns before his injury last season, but he posted back-to-back seasons with 75+ catches and over 1,000 yards in 2022 and 2023. He also had a total of 15 touchdowns in those two years.
It's easy to forget how dynamic he was before the injury since his 2024 had just started rolling when he went down.
A STAR IS BORN 🤩⭐️ @THE2ERA
2023 Brandon Aiyuk Highlights………HIM | WR1 | PAY THE MAN 💰💰💰
[🎥: YouTube MikeP707 #49ers #Niners] pic.twitter.com/8Qs4Tk1bXO— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) February 22, 2024
The trade of Deebo Samuel opened up huge opportunities this year for the rest of the Niners' receivers, and the rest of their injuries give Aiyuk the potential upside of being the clear No. 1 option if he can get back healthy and on the field.
If you have him stashed in an IR spot, it's best to just keep riding the wave for now. His return is still a ways away, though, so there's no need to be too aggressive in acquiring him or holding him if bye weeks have your bench stretched to the max. He does have upside later in the season, but there are still multiple steps before he's ready to contribute.
Who Should I Start Tool
Not sure who to start? Check out the Who Should I Start tool:
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Who Should I Start? Who Should I Sit? Some common Week 10 fantasy football lineup decisions are regarding players like Kimani Vidal, Kyle Monangai, Quentin Johnston, Colston Loveland, Alec Pierce, Parker Washington, Keenan Allen. But not to worry, we are here to help make these decisions and build winning lineups in Week 10. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups for Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season. Our free Who Should I Start? tool will help make your fantasy football lineup decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to start... all free! Get your winning lineups set, and make the right decisions.
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Popular Week 10 Searches. Curious to see some tough lineup decisions for Week 10 (2025)? Below you will find a list of some popular Who Should I Start? searches that RotoBaller readers are looking at this week. Click any of the links to see the result and recommendation.
Popular Week 10 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 10 searches and comparisons from our 'Who To Start' tool for Kimani Vidal, Kyle Monangai, Quentin Johnston, Colston Loveland, Alec Pierce, Parker Washington, Keenan Allen compared to others:
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