The 49ers are sitting at a 9-4 record, but Brandon Aiyuk’s situation just took a decisive turn. Fresh off a 26-8 win over the Cleveland Browns, Kyle Shanahan opened up on his situation. On KNBR when pressed on whether he still expects the star wideout back before the regular season ends.

”I’m definitely still hopeful… but I’m not counting on it,” he said.

His answer was blunt. Shanahan made clear that while there’s still a sliver of optimism, the team can no longer build plans around Aiyuk’s return, not after months of uncertainty and zero on-field progress.

The 49ers have four games left, and Aiyuk hasn’t played a snap all year after landing on the PUP list with the knee injury he suffered in 2024. His 21-day practice window still hasn’t opened, and the earliest opportunity would be af

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