Is Brandon Aiyuk Playing? Latest News on 49ers WR

Brandon Aiyuk is not playing for the San Francisco 49ers right now, and he will not be part of the team's Week 1 lineup against the Los Angeles Rams .

Aiyuk remains under contract with San Francisco , but the 49ers list the wide receiver on the reserve/left squad list, meaning he is not part of their active roster. General manager John Lynch reinforced that status on Aug. 31, saying "nothing has changed" with Aiyuk and that, because of the designation, "he's just not on our roster."

That distinction explains the unusual situation surrounding Aiyuk: He has not been released and is not a free agent, but he also is not occupying one of San Francisco's active roster spots.

Demarcus Robinson is wearing No. 11, the number formly worn by Aiyuk.

Brandon Aiyuk Will Not Play for 49ers in Week 1

There is no uncertainty about Aiyuk's availability for San Francisco's season opener.

The 49ers' official roster currently places him under Reserve/Left Squad, and he does not appear on the team's offensive depth chart. San Francisco instead lists Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr. as its starting wide receivers, with De'Zhaun Stribling, Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins among the options behind them.

Aiyuk also is not part of the team's Week 1 injury report because this is no longer simply an injury-status question.

The former second-team All-Pro has not played in an NFL game since suffering a major knee injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in October 2024. He missed the entire 2025 season before San Francisco placed him on the reserve/left squad list in December.

Heavy previously detailed how Aiyuk remained outside the 49ers' active roster after final cuts , even as Demarcus Robinson took over Aiyuk's former No. 11 jersey.

Like HEAVY's content? Be sure to follow us .