San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk may have already played his last game for the team. Aiyuk was expected to return to the field at some point this season after recovering from a devastating knee injury suffered last year, but things are only looking bleaker as the season winds down.
According to ESPN And AthleticSan Francisco forfeited Ayuk's guaranteed money for the 2026 season during training camp for failing to meet the requirements of his contract extension, signed in August 2024, worth $120 million over four years. Aiyuk's contract included a $24.935 million option bonus that originally became guaranteed on April 1 but is now void. It's unclear whether the 49ers will pay his $1.215 million base salary as well as coaching and performance bonuses.
Ayuk has been missing from the grid since a right knee injury in October 2024. He tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus. Kansas City Chiefs in week seven of last season. The team initially hoped to have him back in practice around midseason. however, time is running out with six regular season games remaining.
“Brandon plays every week,” Niners coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Monday. “When he had such a serious injury, he just waited until he was completely comfortable to get up and start training.”
