Red & Gold Alert: Aiyuk, Pearsall Hit PUP List, Shaking Up 49ers' Camp Before It Begins

• Star WR Brandon Aiyuk and first-round pick Ricky Pearsall placed on the Active/PUP list to start 49ers training camp.
• Aiyuk is still recovering from a major ACL/MCL tear suffered in Week 7 of the 2024 season.
• A total of eight players will start camp on injury lists (six on PUP, two on NFI), creating depth concerns.
• With Aiyuk out and Deebo Samuel traded, Jauan Jennings is expected to be WR1 despite reported contract dissatisfaction.
• Safety Ji'Ayir Brown has been cleared to practice after his own offseason ankle procedure.

Just as the Faithful were gearing up for training camp, the 49ers dropped a bombshell on Friday. The team announced that eight players will start on injury lists, a list headlined by star receiver Brandon Aiyuk and first-round pick Ricky Pearsall. The news sends a ripple of uncertainty through a wide receiver room already adjusting to life after the offseason trade of Deebo Samuel.

With Brandon Aiyuk recovering from a torn ACL and Deebo Samuel now in Washington, Jauan Jennings is expected to be WR1 while reportedly unhappy with his two-year, $15.39 million contract.

A Crowded Trainer's Room

The official start to training camp has been overshadowed by the injury report. The 49ers placed six players on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, most notably Brandon Aiyuk, still recovering from the devastating ACL/MCL tear he suffered in Week 7 last season. His status for the regular season remains a huge question mark. Joining him is 2025 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall, whose lingering hamstring injury is a clear setback after he missed most of OTAs. The rest of the PUP list includes OL Andre Dillard (ankle), DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee), S Malik Mustapha (ACL), and LB Curtis Robinson (knee). Additionally, OL Ben Bartch and S George Odum will start on the Active/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list. One silver lining: safety Ji'Ayir Brown has been cleared to practice following his own offseason ankle procedure.

Pressure and Paydays: The Jennings Conundrum

With Aiyuk sidelined and Deebo Samuel traded to Washington, the WR1 mantle falls squarely on the shoulders of Jauan Jennings. But this massive opportunity arrives amidst drama. Reports indicate Jennings is unhappy with the two-year, $15.39 million extension he signed, a deal that now looks like a bargain for the team given his sudden promotion up the depth chart. The pressure is on for 'Third-and-Jauan' to become an every-down threat, all while his contract situation simmers in the background. How he handles this dual challenge will be one of the most compelling storylines of camp.

Next Men Up: A Wide-Open Receiver Battle

The injuries to Aiyuk and Pearsall swing the doors of opportunity wide open for the rest of the receiving corps. This is a golden chance for veteran free-agent signing Demarcus Robinson to prove he deserves a significant role. It also accelerates the timeline for rookies Jordan Watkins and Junior Bergen, who are no longer just fighting for roster spots but for immediate playing time. What was expected to be a battle for the WR3 spot has suddenly become a free-for-all for starting snaps opposite Jennings.

An X-Factor on Defense?

While the offensive drama captures headlines, keep an eye on the defensive side of the ball. Analysts are beginning to buzz about lineman Alfred Collins as a potential under-the-radar X-factor for 2025. Praised for his raw athleticism, Collins could be a disruptive force who provides crucial depth and rotational power. On a team built to win now, discovering an unexpected impact player like Collins could be the key to maintaining their defensive dominance, especially as they navigate injuries across the roster.

The 49ers are no strangers to adversity, having reached four of the last six NFC Championships. But starting camp with this much uncertainty at a key position is a major test. The coming weeks will be crucial, not just for monitoring the health of Aiyuk and Pearsall, but for seeing who seizes the massive opportunity in front of them. With four primetime games on the schedule, the league expects the Niners to be contenders. Now, they have to prove they can weather this early storm.