Kyle Shanahan: Brandon Aiyuk's return could be Week 5, could be Week 10, won't be Week 1
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said today that there's still a range of potential outcomes, but Week Six is a potential target date he's thinking of, not just for Aiyuk to make his 2025 debut, but also for quarterback Kurtis Rourke and safety Malik Mustapha, both of whom are also recovering from knee injuries.
'I kind of view all those guys around the same time, whether it's Mustapha, whether it's Rourke, or whether it's Brandon,' he said. 'I always see them around Week Six, which means that could be Week 10, it could be Week Five, but that's the area where I start thinking about it, which is a long ways away. I know it's not Week One or anything like that, so it's something I'm not really thinking about too much.'
Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL on October 20 of last season in a game against the Chiefs. The 49ers' Week Six game is against the Buccaneers on October 12, so if that's Aiyuk's return date, he would have missed just under a full year.
The 27-year-old Aiyuk was one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in 2023, but in 2024 his production had declined before his season was cut short. The 49ers will hope to get the 2023 version of Aiyuk back in 2025, even if they have to wait until several weeks into the season.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Patrick Mahomes sends strong message to Chiefs' Josh Simmons
Patrick Mahomes sends strong message to Chiefs' Josh Simmons originally appeared on The Sporting News The Kansas City Chiefs invested a first-round pick, 32nd overall, on Josh Simmons to be part of the group that protects Patrick Mahomes. Last season, the Chiefs were middle of the pack in sacks allowed with 41, so there's room for improvement on that unit. After giving up six sacks in the Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chiefs decided that Simmons will be the guy to help with the overhaul and Patrick Mahomes is excited to have the Ohio State product protect him as he told Kay Adams. "He's just a dog at the end of the day," Mahomes told Adams "He's obviously working through being an NFL pro and becoming a veteran. But when it comes to pass blocking and run blocking, he can get the job done. That's where it all starts. He's getting tested out here by [Steve Spagnuolo] with the defensive line that we have. "But I don't think there was one specific moment. I think it's more about hearing the defensive guys talk about him. He does the right things when you want a guy who's going to go out there and contribute. The sky's the limit. He has a chance to be one of the best there is at left tackle." Kansas City cannot afford to have an injury happen to Mahomes because they didn't have the proper offensive line to ensure that their star player stays upright and has enough time to throw the football. MORE:Chiefs' Chris Jones drops bold take on Cowboys, Micah Parsons contract issue Mahomes' comments should lead many to believe that Simmons could be a rookie who could hit the ground running and not have that adaptation phase that some first-year players make when transitioning from college to the pros. The Chiefs' first game of the season will be out of the country as they face their AFC West rival, the San Diego Chargers, on September 5 in São Paulo, Brazil, at Neo Química Arena.
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
49ers' Demarcus Robinson files appeal, but DUI-related suspension is expected
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is appealing an NFL suspension, but indicated the team is expecting Robinson to miss multiple games to start the regular season. Shanahan said Robinson, 30, would 'most likely' sit out the 'first few games' due to a DUI arrest. Last week, Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison received a three-game suspension after he was arrested for a DUI last year. 'There is an appeal process,' Shanahan said. 'I'm not sure how it's going. So I always just plan for the worst and hope for the best.' Robinson addressed the Bay Area media for the first time since he signed a two-year, $9.5 million deal in March. He said he's eager for a resolution to his case. '(I'm) pretty anxious,' Robinson said. 'Just waiting on the outcome to see what happens with that … I really don't know the timeframe. Waiting to hear from them, honestly.' Robinson was arrested in November when he was with the Rams. Officers observed him driving more than 100 mph on Highway 101, and he was charged with driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher and driving without a valid license. Robinson addressed his teammates and apologized after his arrest. 'I think it's always hard when you go through something like that to try to deal with that and talk about that in front of the guys,' Robinson said. 'But I think it's also a learning time for myself and anybody that's in the room. Just try to give them (advice) so no one goes through the same type of thing.' Robinson had career-highs in receiving yards (505), yards per reception (16.3) and receiving touchdowns (seven) last year. He's reached the playoffs in each of his first nine seasons, with the Chiefs (2016-21), Ravens (2022) and Rams (2023-24). He earned his lone Super Bowl ring when Kansas City beat the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV in February 2020. His motivation for signing with the 49ers? 'Just trying to get to another good team,' Robinson said. 'And make another run for a Super Bowl.'
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Brandon Aiyuk injury update: 49ers WR expected back about Week 6
The Cardinals play the 49ers in Week 3. Brandon Aiyuk isn't expected to be back from his knee injury by then. The Arizona Cardinals will likely not have to face one of the better wide receivers in the NFC West in one of their two games with the San Francisco 49ers. Their first matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, on the road in Week 3, 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk is not expected to play. They do have somewhat of a timeline, though. Head coach Kyle Shanahan estimated that Aiyuk could return in Week 6. He is currently on the PUP list as he recovers from the serious knee injury he suffered in Week 7 last season, tearing both his ACL and MCL. That means the 49ers' top two receivers in Week 3 will be Jauan Jennings and second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall. The, of course, still have running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle, but their passing attack will not be as potent without the dynamic threat that Aiyuk is. In 2023, his last healthy season, he had 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. In his last game against the Cardinals in Week 5 of 2024, he had eight receptions for 147 yards. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
