Brandon Aiyuk has officially returned to the NFL‘s active player pool, but his future with the San Francisco 49ers remains uncertain. The league reinstated the wide receiver from the Reserve/Left Squad list on Monday.
The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reported the development on X and confirmed that San Francisco received a two-week roster exemption.
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“The league has granted San Francisco a two-week roster exemption, giving the team until Nov. 23 to make a roster move,” Pelissero reported.
MORE: 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk faces new hurdle as NFL delays his reinstatement
However, head coach Kyle Shanahan showed little interest in the development. Asked about Aiyuk’s reinstatement, Shanahan dismissed its importance to the team.
“It means absolutely nothing to our team. … It’s a lot of administrative stuff to me,” Shanahan said.
The comments underline how far the relationship between Aiyuk and the 49ers has deteriorated. The receiver remained away from the team after suffering serious knee injuries in October 2024.
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Aiyuk recently hired agent Drew Rosenhaus and submitted his reinstatement paperwork. He also met with San Francisco officials after reporting to the team’s facility. The wide receiver said he had recovered and felt fully healthy. However, his return does not guarantee another opportunity with the 49ers.
“I’m feeling great, feeling healthy. Long recovery process, long rehab process,” Aiyuk said to the media last week. “But I’m back to 100 percent and looking to get reinstated into the National Football League.”
San Francisco now has until November 23 to decide its next step. The team can release Aiyuk, trade him, or add him to its 53-man roster. The financial dispute also complicates the situation. Aiyuk reportedly owes the organization approximately $13 million in forfeited bonus money.
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Shanahan previously said Aiyuk’s time with the football team had ended long ago, saying, “I could care less… I look at this as zero to do with our football team.” His latest comments reinforce that position.
The 49ers entered the season with a 7-1 record and remain focused on their playoff push. Aiyuk’s reinstatement now gives the organization time to settle a situation that has dragged on for months.
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