Brandon Aiyuk hasn't played an NFL game since his serious knee injury in 2024. Here's why he won't be playing at all in 2025.

The San Francisco 49ers are playing the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, but they could benefit from some other games going certain ways.

The San Francisco 49ers have placed receiver Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list, making him ineligible to return from a knee injury this season.

See where the San Francisco 49ers stand in Week 15 power rankings as the team comes off its bye week, riding a three-game win streak.

So if the Niners let him play out his contract, shake his hand, and watch him sign a solid $20-to-$30 (maybe $40) million-dollar deal elsewhere in free agency come the end of the 2026 season, the league office will essentially FedEx a third-round pick (fourth at worst) to Santa Clara. That’s money in the bank. That’s a free lottery ticket.

The San Francisco 49ers are doing so well in 2025 that they probably won't make a pick until later in the first round in the 2026 NFL draft.

RB Christian McCaffrey is expected to play vs. the Titans despite a questionable tag, with multiple NFL insiders signaling good news.