After Thursday’s practice at the SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, several San Francisco 49ers players — including Brock Purdy and George Kittle — spoke about what it has been like to play an entire season without star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk Still Out With Injury and Contract Issues
Aiyuk has not played a single snap in 2025. His 2026 contract guarantees were voided by the team during training camp after he reportedly failed to meet contract requirements. To make matters worse, he has spent the year recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season.
This combination of injury and off-field issues has kept one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers off the field for nearly a year.
Brock Purdy Explains the Impact of Losing Aiyuk
Purdy didn’t hide how much he misses having Aiyuk on the field:
“Aiyuk is a baller. He makes plays, wins his man-to-man matchups, and creates separation,” Purdy said. “He’s explosive, and when you get the ball in his hands, he can rack up YAC and bring juice to the offense.”
Purdy also acknowledged the off-field complications but kept his comments respectful:
“All the off-field stuff is not my place to say anything. I just know I loved playing with him, and we’ve had great times together.”
Steve Young Says Aiyuk Has ‘Moved On’
Former 49ers quarterback Steve Young recently said he believes Aiyuk has mentally “moved on” from the team since losing his guaranteed money. Purdy previously admitted that the whole situation “sucks.”
George Kittle Calls Aiyuk a ‘Freak of Nature’
Star tight end George Kittle also spoke about Aiyuk’s absence and praised his athletic ability:
“He can run 22 miles an hour, stop instantly, jump 40 inches, and catch anything,” Kittle said. “In the run game, he loves to hit people. Put him with Jauan Jennings, and it’s like having two bullies out there.”
Aiyuk’s Elite Mindset
Kittle also talked about Aiyuk’s confidence on the field:
“His mindset was elite — no one could mess with him. He wanted to make every play. He’s everything you want in an NFL player.”
Will Aiyuk Play This Season?
The 49ers still hope Aiyuk can return if he becomes healthy enough. However, with only four games left and his practice window still unopened, it’s becoming more unlikely that he will play at all this year.
Conclusion
Brandon Aiyuk’s absence has been deeply felt by the 49ers, both on and off the field. Brock Purdy and George Kittle made it clear that Aiyuk’s talent, energy and mindset are difficult to replace. While the team continues to succeed, the possibility of Aiyuk returning this season grows slimmer. Whether he plays again for the 49ers — or somewhere else — remains one of the biggest questions ahead of 2026.
