49ers GM: Aiyuk 'not close' to returning from torn ACL

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch says Brandon Aiyuk is still a ways away from returning despite the wide receiver not suffering any setbacks in his recovery from a torn ACL.

"There's different levels with the ACL, (and) Brandon had a significant injury," Lynch told KNBR on Thursday.

"We'll be a better team when Brandon's out there, so we look forward to that day, but it's not close. When we have some more info on that, we'll be forthright with it."

Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters in August that Aiyuk wouldn't return until Week 6 at the earliest. San Francisco is 3-0 heading into its Week 4 contest versus the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Aiyuk hasn't played since suffering the injury on Oct. 20, 2024. The 27-year-old missed the final 10 contests of last season, with the 49ers going 3-7 during that stretch. The team placed Aiyuk on the physically unable to perform list before the 2025 season started.

The Arizona State product posted back-to-back 1,000-plus-yard receiving campaigns in 2022 and 2023. After a lengthy and public contract standoff between the wideout and the 49ers, Aiyuk agreed to a four-year, $120-million extension ahead of the 2024 season. The new deal makes him the ninth-highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL, according to Over The Cap.

Injuries have decimated San Francisco this year. Quarterback Brock Purdy has missed the last two contests due to toe and shoulder injuries. He's slated to practice Thursday, but it's unknown if he'll start Sunday. The Niners also have star tight end George Kittle on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, while five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Nick Bosa will miss the rest of the campaign after tearing his ACL last week.