Aiyuk Begins NFL Reinstatement Process
Brandon Aiyuk has submitted paperwork to start the NFL reinstatement process as two traffic cases remain open in Santa Clara County.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Should professional athletes face team discipline for reckless driving and posting the footage online?
Santa Clara County records list Brandon Aiyuk's two pending traffic cases as open, and he has submitted the paperwork required to begin the NFL reinstatement process. Authorities issued an arrest warrant in June after Aiyuk allegedly sped near Levi's Stadium and shared footage of the incident on YouTube.
Why it matters
The reinstatement request puts Aiyuk's return to the 49ers in front of the NFL, which must review it before he can officially come back. The open legal cases and the team's earlier decision to void guaranteed money leave his football future and roster status unsettled.
Aiyuk has not played since suffering significant knee injuries in October 2024, and the 49ers voided approximately $27 million in guaranteed money in July 2025. The NFL's review of his reinstatement request and the disposition of the two open traffic cases remain unresolved.
The players
Brandon Aiyuk
Aiyuk is a San Francisco 49ers wide receiver whose knee injuries and legal troubles have kept him off the field.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are an NFL franchise that voided approximately $27 million in Aiyuk's guaranteed money.
The details
Aiyuk allegedly sped near Levi's Stadium, prompting an arrest warrant issued in June, and he allegedly shared footage of the incident on YouTube. San Francisco cited missed rehabilitation requirements and scheduled check-ins as reasons for voiding the guaranteed money, and Aiyuk landed on the reserve/did not report list after missing training camp.
Timeline
October 2024: Aiyuk suffers significant knee injuries.
June: Arrest warrant issued after alleged speeding near Levi's Stadium.
July 2025: 49ers void approximately $27 million in guaranteed money.
Friday: Aiyuk plans to report to the 49ers' facility.
Season Trajectory
Aiyuk's reinstatement request follows the NFL's standard review path for players returning after legal issues. His possible release or trade would reshape the 49ers' wide receiver depth as the team's roster takes shape.
Aiyuk's return would add a veteran receiver to the 49ers' depth chart and affect fantasy projections tied to the team's passing game. A possible release or trade would change which receivers see targets this season.
The takeaway
Reinstatement pending NFL review and open legal cases mean Aiyuk's status can change quickly, so fans and fantasy managers should watch for official NFL and team announcements.
What happens next
Aiyuk plans to report to the 49ers' facility Friday, and the NFL must review his reinstatement request before he can officially return.
Further reading
Explore more Football coverage for context on players navigating NFL reinstatement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ClutchPoints.
Live Poll
Should professional athletes face team discipline for reckless driving and posting the footage online?
