San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is expected to miss a significant portion of the upcoming season due to an ACL/MCL tear in his right knee. Head coach Kyle Shanahan announced on Monday that Aiyuk’s return is anticipated around Week 6. This injury comes after Aiyuk, a 2023 second-team All-Pro, suffered the setback during a Week 7 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024, causing him to miss the last ten games of that season.
Aiyuk’s absence places additional pressure on second-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall to elevate his performance in the 2025 season. The 49ers finished the 2024 season with a disappointing record of 6-11, which was exacerbated by Aiyuk’s injury. The team’s wide receiver depth has been further diminished following the trade of Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Washington Commanders earlier this year.
Pearsall, selected as the 31st pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, faced his own challenges during his rookie season when he missed six games due to a gunshot wound sustained during an attempted robbery. Despite this setback, the Arizona State/Florida product demonstrated potential upon his return, recording 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdown catches.
With Aiyuk sidelined, Pearsall recognizes the importance of stepping into a more prominent role. “To be honest, I’m approaching it the exact same way,” Pearsall stated, as reported by Josh Dubow of the Associated Press. “Whether those guys are in the room or not, that’s just how I look at myself. I just got to be able to step in that role. That’s just how I look at it.”
To prepare for the upcoming season, Pearsall has spent significant time working with 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy to strengthen their on-field chemistry. Their efforts appeared fruitful during a recent joint practice with the Denver Broncos, where Purdy successfully connected with Pearsall for a touchdown pass exceeding 30 yards. “Obviously, I love the fact that we were able to do it, but it just goes back to us building reps on reps on reps,” Purdy remarked, according to David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone.
In prior seasons, the 49ers showcased an explosive offense, ranking second in the league by scoring an average of 28.6 points per game during their Super Bowl LVIII run. In contrast, the team struggled last season, tying for 14th place with an average of 22.9 points per game. The developing partnership between Purdy and Pearsall could rejuvenate San Francisco’s offensive strategy while they await Aiyuk’s return.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Pearsall to see if he can deliver on the potential he has shown and help fill the void left by Aiyuk’s injury. The 49ers will need strong performances from their remaining wide receivers to remain competitive in a challenging league landscape.
