NFL reinstates Brandon Aiyuk, grants 49ers roster exemption

The NFL reinstated Brandon Aiyuk on Nov. 9 and gave the San Francisco 49ers a two-week roster exemption, leaving the team until Nov. 23 to decide how to handle the wide receiver. Aiyuk was removed from the reserve/left squad list after seeking reinstatement. The exemption lets San Francisco carry him without using a place on its 53-man roster during that period.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said the administrative move did not change the team’s plans. “It means absolutely nothing to our team,” he said. The 49ers have said they do not expect Aiyuk to play for them again. The team could trade him or release him, but its decision had not been reported as of Nov. 10.

Aiyuk met with 49ers officials on Nov. 6 as part of the reinstatement process. He had been on the reserve/left squad list since the team placed him there in December 2025, after he stopped reporting while rehabilitating a knee injury. He has not played since tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee on Oct. 20, 2024. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said last week that Aiyuk was healthy and ready to resume his career.

The reinstatement comes amid a financial dispute between Aiyuk and San Francisco. The NFL reportedly told Aiyuk and the...