Aiyuk is expected back at the 49ers facility Friday to be reinstated, but his coach says he isn't counting on him.
Brandon Aiyuk is reportedly set to return to the 49ers' team facility on Friday, which would mark his reinstatement to the NFL for the first time since December. That's the news. The reaction from his head coach is the other part of it.
Kyle Shanahan was asked about Aiyuk's situation ahead of San Francisco's game Sunday against the Raiders, and he didn't sound like a man circling the calendar. "None. I have no expectation. I've kind of moved on with that mentally," Shanahan said, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Garafolo added that Shanahan was essentially repeating what he had said back in September.
That September comment came when Shanahan was asked directly whether the team's receiver injuries might push him to welcome Aiyuk back. He said no then too.
Still, the door isn't fully shut. The 49ers have gotten off to a strong start this season despite playing without Aiyuk, and Shanahan's language leaves room for some version of a reunion, even if he insists he isn't expecting one. For now, Friday's facility visit is the next concrete step, with Aiyuk's actual on-field future still unresolved.