Coming off a disappointing 2024 campaign, the 49ers are looking ahead to a potential rebound in 2025. The eventual return of WR Brandon Aiyuk from ACL and MCL injuries should be a boost, although that’s still in wait-and-see mode.
After recording consecutive years of 1,000+ yards, Aiyuk’s season got cut short in Week 7. Now 10 months (and counting) removed from the knee injury, anticipation is building for his return.
However, Aiyuk won't be ready for Week 1 — which has left us with plenty of questions for his status in fantasy football.
It’s safe to say the San Francisco offense will need him on the field. The unit ranked 15th in EPA/play during his absence last season, per rbsdm.com.
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When Will Brandon Aiyuk Play for 49ers This Season?
Those hoping for Aiyuk to be ready for Week 1 are in for a rude awakening. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has a Week 6 return in mind for his star wideout.
That means, if you're drafting Aiyuk in fantasy, you'll have to stash him on your IR spot.
With that said, Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have avoided placing a truly definitive timeline on Aiyuk’s recovery. All signs point to him beginning the 2025 season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
If kept on PUP, Aiyuk would have to miss the 49ers’ first four games (Seahawks, Saints, Cardinals, and Jaguars). He’d be eligible to return for Week 5 against the Rams, although that’s a Thursday night game on a quick turnaround.
Brandon Aiyuk Injury History: Timeline Breakdown
The good news for Aiyuk and potential fantasy football players is he doesn’t boast too wide of an injury history and players have returned successfully from this injury within a year before.
Back in 2020, the former first-round pick missed one game each with hamstring and ankle ailments. In 2023, a shoulder injury kept him out of Week 3’s contest against the Giants.
Everything else for Aiyuk, the most recent injuries not included, occurred during the offseason or preseason. His rookie year featured core muscle surgery and a hamstring strain.
Brandon Aiyuk Injury: 2025 Fantasy Football Impact
Aiyuk’s rehab has a ripple effect on the 49ers’ offensive hierarchy. That’s especially the case with movement at the bottom of the depth chart with the addition of Skyy Moore. Not only that, but Demarcus Robinson is out until Week 4 due to suspension.
WR Jauan Jennings is also dealing with a calf injury, but he is expected to be back and starting for Week 1 — that is, if he gets a new contract done. It's possible that he also gets an injury designation without a new contract.
WR Ricky Pearsall enters the season in full health, which has helped him to rocket up fantasy football draft boards.
A recent report also links the 49ers to signing or trading for an additional WR to compete, with a thin WR corps if Jennings is going to sit out to start the year.
Those who are actually in the lineup for San Francisco may be prime targets for QB Brock Purdy.
2025 fantasy football projections are courtesy of the PrizePicks NFLSZN board — the easiest way to season-long fantasy football.
RB Christian McCaffrey
After winning Offensive Player of the Year in 2023, McCaffrey played in just four games last season. Now on the other side of Achilles and PCL injuries, there’s plenty of doubt surrounding his 2025 output.
The 49ers’ trade for Brian Robinson Jr. didn’t do much to ease those worries. Still, McCaffrey is on the right side of 30 and paced for 1,479 full-season scrimmage yards when active last year.
TD production must come around for McCaffrey, yet he’s an interesting player to evaluate given that the return of Aiyuk doesn’t figure to massively swing his workload.
2025 Christian McCaffrey Projections: 949.5 rush yards, 11.5 Rush+Rec TDs
TE George Kittle
Despite sitting out two games last year, Kittle recorded his most receptions (78) and yards (1,106) since 2018. His performance post-Aiyuk injury was even more outstanding.
In Weeks 8-18, the star tight end went over the 100-yard mark four times (thrice in his last five outings). His 17-game pace in that span: 83 catches, 1,381 yards and 6 touchdowns.
With his 32nd birthday approaching in October, it’s fair to wonder when Kittle will slow down. Aiyuk’s return will also make him less of a pressing priority on offense.
2025 George Kittle Projections: 69.5 receptions, 899.5 receiving yards, 6 TDs
WR Ricky Pearsall
Pearsall had a roller coaster of a rookie year. Before his season even began, he suffered a gunshot wound in an attempted robbery. That left him on the non-football injury (NFI) list for several weeks.
The first-round pick’s initial eight-game stretch was anything but stellar. He amassed 13 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown in that span. The three-week close to his debut campaign (18 catches, 247 yards, 2 touchdowns) was great.
If something clicked for Pearsall, he may develop into the Aiyuk running mate the 49ers have in mind, making the team less pressed to get their WR1 back from his serious injury.
2025 Ricky Pearsall Projections: 70.5 receptions, 875.5 receiving yards, 4.5 TDs
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With fantasy football season here, injuries like Brandon Aiyuk’s will undoubtedly impact how players view the 49ers’ roster. Aiyuk’s return timeline will affect the balance of the offense.
Stars like RB Christian McCaffrey and TE George Kittle can attempt to keep things afloat in the interim, with Pearsall leading. the WRs
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