Kyle Shanahan flat‑out denied any plan to recall Brandon Aiyuk when asked in September about the receiver’s injury‑laden roster.
Aiyuk has started the process of being reinstated from the reserve/left squad list, and he may have to report to the team’s facility later this week if he isn’t released first. Shanahan was asked at Wednesday’s press conference about any expectations for such a visit.
‘None. I have no expectation,’ Shanahan said. ‘I’ve mentally moved on, just as I told you two months ago. Nothing’s really changed for me.’
In my view, the 49ers are better off looking beyond Aiyuk as a solution. Shanahan confirmed no talks about a roster exemption that could extend trade options, leaving release or a roster spot as the only paths once he clears the left‑squad list. He warned there are ‘no absolutes’ about Aiyuk returning, and his answers suggest the receiver will move on after the paperwork is settled.