San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has filed for reinstatement from the team’s reserve/left squad list, NBC Sports reported, forcing the franchise to decide his future with the NFL trade deadline six days away.
The filing, confirmed by agent Drew Rosenhaus to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, triggers a compressed timeline for San Francisco. According to NFL.com, the 49ers’ options once the reinstatement is processed are to play Aiyuk under his current contract, release him, or trade him before the Nov. 10 deadline. Rosenhaus also said Aiyuk plans to report to the 49ers’ facility this week.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has turned in paperwork to be reinstated, per his agent Drew Rosenhaus. Aiyuk, who currently is on San Francisco’s Reserve/Left Squad list, will be reporting to the 49ers’ training facility Friday afternoon, per Drew Rosenhaus. “Brandon is healthy and… pic.twitter.com/qySYsWpkZV”
“Brandon is healthy and ready to get back on the field,” Rosenhaus said.
The Standoff That Sidelined a First-Round Pick
Aiyuk landed on the reserve/left squad list after a protracted dispute with the organization over how he handled rehabilitation from his 2024 knee injury. The 49ers voided the remaining guarantees in his contract during the standoff, a move that Yahoo Sports reports included Aiyuk disappearing during his rehab from a torn ACL and stopping all reporting to the stadium. San Francisco has maintained that Aiyuk will never play for the team again, with head coach Kyle Shanahan reiterating that stance in September, NFL.com reports.
The 28-year-old has not played since Oct. 20, 2024, when he tore the ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his right knee during Week 7 of the 2024 season, according to Sportsnaut. In 69 games with the 49ers, Aiyuk caught 294 passes for 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns, Yahoo Sports reports. His last full season in 2023 produced 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, good for a No. 6 ranking with an 86.8 grade on Pro Football Network’s Wide Receiver Impact metric.
Sources: #49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk is close to hiring new representatives in an effort to get back to the NFL and on a team. San Francisco holds his rights and Aiyuk needs to file for reinstatement. pic.twitter.com/jaGMWnjnmy
The Commanders Connection Cools
Aiyuk had made clear this offseason that he wanted to play for the Washington Commanders in 2026, Yahoo Sports reports. The connection was built on his friendship with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, his former college teammate at Arizona State. But that relationship soured before the season started, and according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Commanders are not expected to pursue Aiyuk if he is reinstated. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports that the Commanders aren’t expected to pursue Aiyuk, with his fued with quarterback Jayden Daniels appearing to be what keeps him from landing in Washington.
Three Paths for San Francisco Before Nov. 10
With the trade deadline approaching, the 49ers face three distinct routes. They could reinstate Aiyuk and keep him on the roster despite the organizational rift, a scenario general manager John Lynch has suggested is finished by saying it is safe to assume Aiyuk has played his last snap in San Francisco, Pro Football Network reports. They could release him, which NBC Sports notes may be the likeliest outcome after previous trade attempts drew no success. Or they could reinstate him and attempt one final trade before Nov. 10.
It would be surprising to see Brandon Aiyuk sign anywhere after the 49ers likely release him. I do assume that applying for reinstatement might theoretically help him in any fight over recoupment of paid bonus money, etc
The financial structure matters here. While the 49ers recouped much of the guaranteed money owed when they voided the contract, Sportsnaut reports, Aiyuk’s pricey deal has made him difficult to move in trade talks. That reality pushes San Francisco toward a release once the paperwork clears.
Where Aiyuk Might Land
If Aiyuk reaches free agency or is traded, several contenders have been floated as fits. Sportsnaut lists the Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs as potential destinations. The Steelers, sitting atop the AFC North at 6-2 with Aaron Rodgers playing well behind a strong offensive line, could use help in the passing game. The Bills are 6-1 and leaning on their run game. The Chiefs, always aggressive at the deadline, have been linked to adding pass-catching help for Patrick Mahomes.
Former NFL running back LeSean McCoy, speaking to Pro Football Network, suggested only one contender might truly handle the situation. He pointed to Andy Reid’s Chiefs as the model, referencing how Reid took a chance on Michael Vick after his legal troubles.
“Pack that baggage and that ego at the door. Right here, you’re not gonna play. If you come in here and you’re on that [expletive], you’re not gonna play. So you’re only wasting your time,” McCoy said. “When Michael Vick went through all that dog stuff, nobody wanted Mike Vick. You know who took him? Andy Reid.”
Whether any team views Aiyuk through that same lens remains the open question. Sportsnaut notes it is unclear how much time Aiyuk would need to return to game readiness, adding another layer of risk for any club considering him before the deadline.
How the 49ers can respond to Brandon Aiyuk when he reports to the facility on Friday, and the pros and cons of each option. https://t.co/kUvaY085Iw pic.twitter.com/uxZkwxVeQp
With the Nov. 10 deadline bearing down, San Francisco must now act on a player who once ranked among the league’s top receivers but has not played since Oct. 20, 2024.
Disclaimer: The analytical insights and data provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.
More on Brandon Aiyuk
BREAKING: 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk has officially filed for reinstatement and is expected to report to the team's facility on Friday, per @AdamSchefter. Aiyuk has been on San Francisco's Reserve/Left Squad list after reportedly cutting off communication with the team in 2025. His… pic.twitter.com/FhltSWoxoA
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