Why is brandon aiyuk not playing

On 22 October 2026, it was confirmed that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL season. The star playmaker suffered a catastrophic knee injury during the team's Week 7 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Medical evaluations conducted on 21 October 2026 revealed a complete tear of both his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL). The injury occurred in the second quarter when Aiyuk’s leg buckled awkwardly while attempting to make a sharp cut during a crossing route. Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the media on 22 October 2026, expressing deep disappointment for the player, noting that Aiyuk had been a focal point of the offense throughout the early portion of the season. Surgery is scheduled for late October, and the team’s medical staff expects a lengthy rehabilitation process that will extend well into the 2027 offseason. The 49ers are now forced to adjust their offensive strategy, relying on younger depth players to fill the significant void left by Aiyuk’s absence.