Aiyuk is best valued as a No. 3 receiver you should draft in Round 7 or Round 8. There are too many mouths to feed in San Francisco, but the injury history for George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, and Deebo Samuel suggests that may not be the case for long. Aiyuk posted career highs last year in both target share (22.6%) and yards per route run (1.91) and should remain a very efficient wide receiver as long as Brock Purdy is healthy for Week 1. We would downgrade Aiyuk a little more if Trey Lance wins the job because we would expect a more run-heavy offense with less pass volume.
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Makes most of two receptions
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Aiyuk had two receptions on four targets for 50 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 31-13 win over the Seahawks.
Aiyuk's two catches finished as his lowest total through 10 active games this season, but the YAC monster still generated strong fantasy value despite Thursday's depressed usage. The 25-year-old has produced at least 50 receiving yards and a touchdown in each of San Francisco's three games since returning from a bye. Aiyuk now sits 69 yards away from recording his second consecutive 1,000-yard season, but he will have to earn every one against Philadelphia's tough defense when the two NFC powerhouses meet Dec. 2.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Huge day against Bucs
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Aiyuk caught five of six targets for 156 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-14 win over the Buccaneers.
Despite the relatively low target volume, the fourth-year wideout set a new career high in receiving yards on the day, highlighted by a 76-yard TD catch from Brock Purdy early in the third quarter. Aiyuk has delivered triple-digit yardage in four of nine games so far in 2023, and he's on pace to shatter last year's career-best 1,015 yards.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Opens scoring in Week 10 win
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Aiyuk caught all three of his targets for 55 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-3 win over the Jaguars.
Aiyuk opened the scoring with a 13-yard touchdown catch in the fourth minute of the game, and the 49ers never looked back as they convincingly snapped a three-game losing streak. The 25-year-old wide receiver has exceeded 50 yards in all but one game this season, but the touchdown was Aiyuk's first since he scored twice in the season opener. With Deebo Samuel (shoulder) back in the mix, the 49ers will have their entire assortment of playmakers healthy for a Week 11 home game against the Buccaneers.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Productive in upset loss
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Aiyuk brought in five of nine targets for 109 yards in the 49ers' 31-17 loss to the Bengals on Sunday.
Aiyuk finished second in receiving yards on the afternoon for the 49ers, eclipsing the century mark for the third time this season in the process. The fourth-year pro has been a solid component of the passing attack throughout the campaign, but he could see his targets take a bit of a hit if Deebo Samuel (shoulder) returns as expected for a Week 10 road matchup against the Jaguars following a Week 9 bye.
The 49ers are taking on a tough defense coming off a bye and won't have their stud left tackle at 100 percent. We've already seen what that's meant for Aiyuk's numbers over the past two weeks (under 12 PPR points each game). At least Brock Purdy figures to play -- his accuracy and calmness in the pocket have been assets for the Niners. It's always a risk to downgrade Aiyuk but his ceiling isn't quite as high given the circumstances. I'd rather start Terry McLaurin, Michael Pittman and Courtland Sutton (weather permitting) in PPR. In non-PPR I'd put Aiyuk in the flex range behind McLaurin but ahead of Zay Flowers and Sutton.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Sit Him (Lineup Decisions)
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This week is a tough spot for Aiyuk. The 49ers are taking on a tough defense coming off a bye and won't have their stud left tackle at 100 percent. We've already seen what that's meant for Aiyuk's numbers over the past two weeks (under 12 PPR points each game). Now consider the downgrade in quarterback -- Purdy's accuracy and calmness in the pocket have been assets for the Niners -- two things Darnold has struggled with over his career. It's always a risk to sit Aiyuk but his ceiling is so much lower given the circumstances. I'd rather start Terry McLaurin, Michael Pittman and Kendrick Bourne in PPR. In non-PPR I'd put Aiyuk in the flex range behind McLaurin and Tee Higgins, but ahead of Zay Flower and Courtland Sutton.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Modest production in loss
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Aiyuk had five receptions (on six targets) for 57 yards in Monday's 22-17 loss to Minnesota,
Aiyuk took over as San Francisco's No. 1 wideout with Deebo Samuel (shoulder) expected to miss multiple weeks to injury. The elevated role did not produce more targets for Aiyuk, who finished with a stat line right around the four receptions and 67 yards he averaged over his previous two contests. The 25-year-old is providing steady production through seven weeks, but a recent lack of touchdowns (none since Week 1) has limited his fantasy value. Aiyuk still is considered a strong play heading into a Week 8 matchup against the Bengals on Sunday.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Leading receiver for banged-up SF
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Aiyuk caught four of 10 targets for 76 yards in Sunday's 19-17 loss to Cleveland.
Aiyuk was the only player with more than four targets for San Francisco in a game that both Deebo Samuel (shoulder) and Christian McCaffrey (oblique) left early. He accounted for 76 of Brock Purdy's 125 passing yards, including a pair of catches for 33 yards on San Francisco's final drive, which ended in a 41-yard missed field goal in the final seconds. Regardless of the availability of San Francisco's other playmakers, Aiyuk should maintain a prominent role in Week 7 against the Vikings on MNF. Aiyuk has 25 catches for 454 yards through six games, but he hasn't found the end zone since scoring twice in Week 1.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Contributes 58 yards in win
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Aiyuk caught four of seven targets for 58 yards in Sunday's 42-10 win over Dallas.
Aiyuk finished with a modest fantasy line as quarterback Brock Purdy spread the ball around to all of his star playmakers in the blowout victory. Aiyuk's 58 receiving yards wound up being the game high for wideouts from either team Sunday and ranked only behind tight end George Kittle, who had 67 yards to go along with his three touchdown grabs. The fourth-year receiver is now averaging 97.5 yards over four active games this season after gaining 59.7 per game during his breakout campaign last year. Aiyuk and the undefeated 49ers will head out on the road in Week 6 to face the Browns next Sunday.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Provides 148 yards in return
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Aiyuk (shoulder) corralled all six of his targets for 148 yards in Sunday's 35-16 win over the Cardinals.
Aiyuk was able to return in full capacity after sitting out the 49ers' last game with a minor shoulder injury. The budding fantasy star continued his hot start by breaking the century mark in receiving yards for the second time in three attempts after achieving that feat just once in 2022. Aiyuk has amassed 320 receiving yards on just 20 targets, and Sunday, he put his unique combination of athletic playmaking and sure hands on display against an outmatched Arizona secondary. Now back at full strength, Aiyuk will shift his focus to a Week 4 matchup against a Cowboys team that is without top corner Trevon Diggs (knee) the rest of the season.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Remains limited Thursday
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Aiyuk (shoulder) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
In the process of shedding his blue non-contact jersey Thursday, Aiyuk maintained his activity level from one day prior, giving him just one more chance to get back to full before the 49ers potentially give him a designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals. Meanwhile, fellow wide receivers Deebo Samuel (ribs/knee) and Jauan Jennings (shin) again didn't practice, so the status of San Francisco's top three wide receivers remains in flux.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Sheds non-contact jersey Thursday
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Aiyuk (shoulder) wasn't wearing a non-contact jersey at the start of Thursday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Now that Aiyuk seemingly has been cleared to take contact on the practice field, it remains to be seen if he'll log his first uncapped session since injuring his left shoulder Week 2. The 49ers will reveal his activity level later Thursday, at which point the statuses of Deebo Samuel (ribs/knee) and Jauan Jennings (shin) also could gain some clarity.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Start Him (Lineup Decisions)
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Aiyuk is going to start for Fantasy managers whether or not Samuel plays, but his upside is much brighter if Samuel rests. Be ready to start Aiyuk over Tyler Lockett, Christian Kirk and Mike Evans.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Practices on limited basis
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Aiyuk (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Aiyuk continued playing in the 49ers' Week 2 win over the Rams after he hurt his shoulder, but he then missed a Thursday night win over the Giants in Week 3. He was spotted on the field at the 49ers' unofficial practice Monday, and he's now listed as a limited participant on the first official injury report of Week 4. Meanwhile, fellow wideouts Deebo Samuel (ribs) and Jauan Jennings (shin) were non-participants. Aiyuk appears on track to suit up for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, with Samuel and Jennings potentially being the more banged up of the three wideouts this week.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Spotted at practice Monday
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Aiyuk (shoulder) was present for Monday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Aiyuk was inactive this past Thursday against the Giants, but his presence on the practice field Monday is a positive indicator with regard to his chances of returning to action Sunday against the Cardinals. Wednesday's official practice/injury report will add further context to the wideout's Week 4 status by clarifying his participation level.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Sitting out Thursday, as expected
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Aiyuk (shoulder) is listed as inactive Thursday against the Giants, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
Aiyuk played through a left shoulder injury during the 49ers' Week 2 win at the Rams, handling 30 of 57 offensive snaps on his way to three catches (on six targets) for 43 yards. He proceeded to be listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimate before capping Week 3 prep with back-to-back limited listings. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Thursday afternoon that Aiyuk was unlikely to suit up versus New York, and indeed that has come to pass. With Aiyuk sidelined, Jauan Jennings is the top candidate to absorb the former's typical workload alongside Deebo Samuel, but rookie Ronnie Bell, Ray-Ray McCloud and practice-squad call-up Chris Conley also may get in the WR mix for San Francisco.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Questionable for Thursday
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Aiyuk (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Giants, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The 49ers posted practice estimates Monday and Tuesday, which included Aiyuk as a non-participant on the first one and a limited participant on the second. He was able to play through a left shoulder injury that he suffered early on in this past Sunday's road win against the Rams, logging 52 percent of the offensive snaps en route to three catches (on six targets) for 43 yards. Aiyuk's availability Thursday will become known about 90 minutes before an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but if he's inactive for the contest or available to play only limited snaps, Jauan Jennings and Ronnie Bell would stand to benefit behind Deebo Samuel.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Dealing with shoulder issue
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Aiyuk (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice estimation, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Per Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site, a left shoulder injury kept Aiyuk out for a select number of plays during Sunday's 30-23 win over the Rams, so the wideout's status will need to be monitored as Thursday night's game against the Giants approaches. In the 30 snaps on offense (out of a possible 57) that Aiyuk logged versus Los Angeles, the 49ers' starting WR caught three of his six targets for 43 yards.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Plays through shoulder injury
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that Aiyuk suffered a shoulder injury in Sunday's win over the Rams that limited his playing time, according to 49ers' team reporter Lindsey Pallares.
Aiyuk was able to finish the game and post a final line of three catches on six targets for 43 yards. The 25-year-old suffered the shoulder injury in the first quarter and was seen being worked on by trainers at various points of contest. Aiyuk didn't appear limited when he would return to action, which is a positive sign for his availability moving forward. That said, it wouldn't be surprising to see Aiyuk's name pop up on the injury report with a Thursday matchup against the Giants on tap for Week 3.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk: Sees first action of 2023
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Aiyuk hauled in his lone target for 15 yards in Saturday's 21-20 preseason win over Denver.
Aiyuk got his first taste of action this preseason along with the rest of the starting wideouts Saturday. San Francisco also welcomed back starting quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow) from injury, who found Aiyuk for a 15-yard gain on the first-team offense's lone drive. The 2020 first-round pick blossomed into a reliable fantasy option last season after posting a career-best 78-1,015-8 receiving line across 17 games. Deebo Samuel is still the 49ers' top option at wide receiver, but Aiyuk could narrow that gap if he takes another step forward heading into the fourth and final year of his rookie contract.
