Overview
- John Lynch said a 2025 return is “hopeful” but not “realistic,” and Kyle Shanahan said he is hopeful yet not counting on Aiyuk playing this season.
- Thirteen months after a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus, Aiyuk remains on PUP with his 21‑day practice window unopened and only four games left after the Week 14 bye.
- The team voided Aiyuk’s 2026 guarantees in July, a step later confirmed publicly and widely reported to be tied to missed team‑supervised rehab and activities; he did not file a grievance.
- Multiple outlets report an offseason split is likely, with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler naming the Commanders as a possible destination given Aiyuk’s ties to Jayden Daniels and Washington’s front office.
- Roster planning has shifted toward alternatives, with mock drafts slotting a first‑round receiver for San Francisco and reporting outlining dead‑cap mechanics for a potential trade or release.