49ers will not open Brandon Aiyuk’s 21-day practice window ahead of Week 9 game

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will not return to practice this week.Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday on a conference call with Bay Area reporters that Aiyuk is getting closer to his return.“It’s week to week from here on out that he has a chance,” Shanahan said. “Every week, he’s getting closer, just not this week.”Aiyuk, 27, has not practiced with his 49ers teammates since sustaining tears to his anterior-cruciate ligament, medial-collateral ligament and cartilage on Oct. 20, 2024, against the Kansas City Chiefs.He underwent surgery in mid-November and was placed on the physically unable to perform list when the 49ers reported to training camp this summer.Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension with the 49ers in August 2024 after having the best season of his NFL career in 2023. He had 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns as the 49ers advanced to the Super Bowl.A first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Aiyuk has 294 catches for 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns while appearing in 69 regular-season games over five seasons.Aiyuk regularly joined his teammates during training camp drills, as he went through physical...