49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has commented on what it’s like to be without trusted wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, one of his most lethal offensive weapons on the field.

Aiyuk, whose 2026 guarantees were voided by the team during training camp for reportedly failing to uphold the terms of his contract, is still recovering from a torn ACL injury he suffered last season and has not played at all in 2025.

Purdy was asked Thursday what it’s like to be without Aiyuk despite the 49ers’ successful season.

“Aiyuk is a baller, you know, he makes plays, and in man-to-man matchups does a great job creating separation, and he’s an explosive player,” Purdy told reporters. “You get the ball in his hands, and he can go get YAC and bring juice to the offense when he’s in, he did it all, man, at receiver.”

Former 49ers quarterback Steve Young believes that Aiyuk simply has “moved on” from the organization after his future guaranteed money was voided, and Purdy admitted earlier in the season that Aiyuk’s off-field situation “sucks.”

“Obviously, I wish he’s healthy to be able to be with us and just play and roll,” Purdy said. “All the things off the field is not my place to say anything, all I can say is I loved to play with him and in the past, we’ve had such great times together.”

Tight end George Kittle also gave his input on how the 49ers have adjusted without Aiyuk’s athleticism, calling him a “freak of nature.”

“He’s a guy that can run 22 miles an hour and stop on a dime and jump 40 inches with a freakishly long wingspan, and will catch any ball you throw to him,” Kittle said. “What he does in the run game too, how he hits people, how he wants to hit people, and you put him and Jauan out there together, it’s like you have two bullies out there.”

Kittle further described how Aiyuk’s dominant personality helped on the field.

“The mindset he had when he was playing for us was elite, like no one can mess with him, he’s going to make every play he has an opportunity to make, he’s everything you want in an NFL player,” Kittle told reporters.

It ultimately is the 49ers’ goal to have Aiyuk play at some point this season if he were to get healthy. However, that is becoming increasingly unlikely with four games remaining and his practice window yet to be opened.

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