49ers insider: Brandon Aiyuk still expected to start 2025 season on PUP

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 NFL season as he continues to recover from a significant knee injury.

The sixth-year pro sustained ACL and MCL injuries in October, and nothing has changed regarding his timeline to return, which remains very unclear. Back in April, head coach Kyle Shanahan didn't rule out the possibility of a Week 1 return but offered a measured response while discussing his recovering wideout.

"I don't know. I mean, it's too early to tell," Shanahan said. "I mean, the goal is always early. You hope to have it right away, but we're told that by his doctor and everything, there's a chance, but it's too early in the process."

The 49ers are expected to have a clearer timeline for Aiyuk's return sometime during training camp, as his recovery progresses.

NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco joined The Rich Eisen Show on Tuesday and shared that Aiyuk remains likely to miss time at the start of the season, as most expect.

"My guess is that, when the 49ers report to training camp, he'll be put on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list," Maiocco said. "I would think that there's also a strong possibility he would start the season on PUP and miss at least the first four games. I don't think they want to rush it with him and force him back out there."

While getting back on the field is one thing, returning to form is another challenge entirely. Aiyuk didn't look like himself last season, before his injury. A lengthy contract dispute kept him sidelined throughout training camp and preseason, likely causing some rust once he began working with his teammates again.

Aiyuk finished the 2024 season with just 25 receptions for 374 yards and zero touchdowns through the seven games before his injury, far below his productive 2023 campaign that included 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

"I would think that, right now, when the season starts, the 49ers are thinking that they won't have Brandon Aiyuk on the field early on, but we'll see," Maiocco added. "A lot of it will have to do with just what happens now.

"I know he's at the facility, working out every day, so he's on a good track from that standpoint. But I would think that he's going to miss some time at the beginning of the year."