Kyle Shanahan provides key update on Brandon Aiyuk following 49ers wide receiver's season-ending injury

The San Francisco 49ers have won back-to-back games since Brandon Aiyuk was lost for the season to a serious knee injury.

San Francisco's offense has continued to move the ball well even without its best wide receiver. While the 49ers have taken steps forward in their bid to make the playoffs in spite of Aiyuk's absence, he has taken the first step on his long road to recovery.

Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus damage in the 49ers' Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

There is no timeline for Aiyuk's return to the field, and there is no guarantee whether he will be ready in time for the start of the 2025 season.

But there was at least some positive news for Aiyuk this week, with head coach Kyle Shanahan confirming on Friday that the 2020 first-round pick had undergone surgery to repair the damage to his ACL.

Aiyuk's season was brought to an early end following a long offseason contract stand-off that eventually ended with him receiving a four-year, $120 million extension with the Niners.

He was not able to vindicate that deal this season due to a cruel twist of fate. The small bit of solace is that, with the likes of Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall shining in his absence, Aiyuk may be able to benefit significantly from the impact an expanded cast of weapons has on opposing defenses if and when he does make his return next year.