Aiyuk is still rehabbing a torn ACL and MCL he suffered in Week 7 last season. He was not expected to be ready until midseason, so it is not a surprise Shanahan indicated the 27-year-old wideout would start the season on the physically unable to perform list. Safety Malik Mustapha and rookie quarterback Kurtis Rourke are also expected to land on the PUP list. Meanwhile, Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall are expected to be ready for training camp and will see bigger roles without Aiyuk to start the season.

This was expected. Back in March, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Aiyuk could be “ready to play by midseason.” The 49ers’ No. 1 wide receiver still has a long way to go as he rehabs his knee injury. Nos. 2 and 3 wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall will be tasked with handling two-wide receiver sets early on.

This was to be expected. Aiyuk has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, but with the 49ers set to pay him a $22.85 million bonus on April 1 and no trade offers of note currently on the table, the Niners will prepare to keep the star receiver on the roster this upcoming season. Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL last season and may not even be ready at the start of the season as he continues to rehab. Lynch said Aiyuk did “very well” at his latest check-in with Dr. ElAttrache, whom he has worked with since his injury. With Deebo Samuel now in Washington and Ricky Pearsall entering his second season, Aiyuk should be in line to see plenty of targets once he’s healthy and back in action.

Aiyuk is due a $22.85 million bonus from the Niners if he is still on their roster by April 1st. While he’s been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, the Niners would presumably keep Aiyuk on the roster for the 2025 season if they have to pay out his bonus for the season. Schefter reports that “no deal currently is expected” by April 1st, so we’ll see if anything develops over the next two days. The star receiver is rehabbing a torn ACL and MCL that he suffered in Week 7 last season and seems unlikely to be ready for the start of next season, which would only further complicate a trade.