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    Aiyuk says he will avoid California due to warrant

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    SF Wide Receiver #11
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    Brandon Aiyuk said he will not return to California if there is indeed a warrant out for his arrest.

    In a social media post, evidently streamed from a residence in Washington, D.C., Aiyuk asks his audience whether a warrant for his arrest has actually been issued. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest on a misdemeanor charge of exhibition of speeding on June 3rd. We are surprised to learn that he is not fully aware of this. This situation presents a problem for him. Aiyuk has been placed on the reserve/left squad list, which means the 49ers do not have to pay him unless he applies for, and is granted, reinstatement. After that, he must return to the team facility. Once he does so, the 49ers must make a decision as to whether they pay him or release him. As long as he remains away from the team, the 49ers’ front office is not obligated to make a decision. If Aiyuk is set on avoiding California due to the arrest warrant, we see no reason to believe that this situation will be resolved anytime soon.
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    Perhaps more notable is that Keim pointed out “other free agents don’t appear to be on their radar,” with Brandon Aiyuk presumably the “other” in this scenario. Diggs has long been linked to the Commanders as a potential fit, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported last week that “Washington is intriguing” to Diggs, so there’s a good chance some mutual interest exists. The Commanders’ receiver room is headlined by Terry McLaurin, but behind him is an unproven group in Jaylin Lane, Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, and rookie Antonio Williams. It feels like only a matter of time before the Commanders eventually make a move to upgrade their receiving corps, and Diggs would provide a solid option opposite McLaurin after going for 85-1,013-4 with the Patriots last season.
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    For those who continue to follow the Niners/Aiyuk saga, this is no surprise. Aiyuk’s designation means he does not count against the 49ers’ 90-man roster for camp, and the designation requires him to apply to the NFL for reinstatement before he can be released or traded. Aiyuk has been active on his Instagram account, and appears to be trying to manifest a move to the Commanders to play with long-time friend and former college teammate Jayden Daniels, but the ball is ultimately in his court to take the steps necessary for anything to be facilitated. It was reported earlier this month by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that he “doesn’t think” the Commanders would be interested in Aiyuk if he were to come available. Aiyuk last played in 2024, posting a 25-374-0 line in seven games before suffering a torn ACL in Week 7.
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    Well, let’s see if we can get a few Instagram posts off that change minds, Brandon. Aiyuk and the 49ers are at an impasse and he has not posted on his social accounts that he’s not “doing business” with the 49ers at this time, and unless he reports to the 49ers they can’t actually release him anyway. This situation has turned from a fait accompli that he’d eventually join the Commanders into something that surely has them second-guessing things, as reported by Nicki Jhavala of The Athletic earlier last month.
  • SF Wide Receiver #11
    Aiyuk, who is still under contract with the 49ers, continues to post highly erratic videos to social media platforms after a California judge issued a warrant for his arrest in early June following exhibitionist speeding past the 49ers stadium. Jhabvala said the posts could make it less likely that Aiyuk lands with Washington ahead of the regular season. It’s been nearly 20 months since Aiyuk was last on an NFL field. “What was once a seemingly minimal-risk option now appears more concerning,” Jhabvala said, adding that the Commanders would “have to feel incredibly confident that he’s fit, physically and emotionally, to not just sign, but be committed to what they’re trying to build.” That appears more unlikely with every unhinged Instagram video. Aiyuk, 28, said on June 25 that he would “sign with the Commanders” tomorrow if the Niners cut him from their roster.
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    He said this in a video of himself he posted to social media. Aiyuk remains under contract with the 49ers while on the reserve/left squad list. He has only ever needed to show up to practice to force the 49ers to cut him. Aiyuk has yet to do that, giving his rather spiteful team no reason to let him hit free agency. For now, Aiyuk is in a weird standoff with the team that once signed him to a four-year, $120 million contract. It’s unclear when he will be released, but it’s hard to imagine him going anywhere other than Washington when that happens.
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    The warrant stems from a video recorded by Aiyuk in December in which the beleaguered receiver filmed himself speeding past Levi’s Stadium. Aiyuk remains a member of the 49ers but the team has publicly stated that he has played his last snap with the franchise. Expectations were that the 49ers were looking to trade Aiyuk following June 1, but the most recent fallout from his display of character could throw a wrench in any ongoing negotiations. He appears headed for a release, subjecting himself to the mercy of the free agent market that also includes other notable veteran wide receivers.
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    The 49ers voided Aiyuk’s 2026 guarantees in November and will only be required to pay him if he remains on the roster on September 1. Fowler said a trade is still possible, but questions remain about Aiyuk’s surgically-repaired knee. He also has not spoken to the organization for some time. It’s an unfortunate situation that could drag on for a while.
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    Our most recent report on Aiyuk came from The Athletic’s Matt Barrows late in April. Barrows believes the team’s first organized team activities session, on May 27th, “might be an unofficial marker” for Aiyuk’s release. That date is just six days away and no new trade rumors have surfaced. If they wish to end the saga, we could see him hit free agency soon. It sounds like they may be committed to holding out for a trade partner this summer, though.
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    The 49ers are currently sitting on Aiyuk’s contract, which now has all of its future guarantees voided. They have reportedly been looking for a trade partner, though there’s no chance a team trades for a player whom the 49ers GM John Lynch himself has said is done with the team. Aiyuk is currently on the reserve/left squad list, meaning the 49ers don’t have to pay him anything right now. He could force their hand by showing up to OTAs. In Barrows’ cutting words, “Maybe Aiyuk’s most effective move is something he failed to do last season — show up for work.” Assuming he does that, the 49ers will release him, at which point he would be likely to sign with the Commanders, if previous reports are to be believed.
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    The 49ers have already made it abundantly clear that Aiyuk will not be playing for them moving forward after a saga that included the team removing his guaranteed money for not showing up to rehab sessions. Rapoport added that the Commanders have had continued interest in the veteran wide receiver but have been hesitant to discuss trade talks under the assumption that the 49ers will be releasing Aiyuk, bringing us to the stalemate at hand. Either way, Rapoport believes Aiyuk will be playing the 2027 season in Washington.

Rotoworld

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    Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said WR Tory Horton (undisclosed) is “going to be out for a period of time.”

    When asked what issue is currently ailing Horton, Macdonald reportedly smiled and said, “sorry, I just don’t want to tell you.” It is unclear whether Horton experienced a setback in his return from a 2025 shin injury or if this is a new issue. The team does not have to release any information until Week 1 injury reports come out. At this point, Horton does not need to be drafted in 12-team leagues.
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    Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks rushed five times for 18 yards and one touchdown in Friday’s preseason game against the Jaguars.

    Brooks played 11-of-13 plays over the Panthers’ first two drives, giving way to RB Trevor Etienne on a 3rd-and-4 play. Brooks subbed right back in after that and punched in a one-yard touchdown two plays later. With RB Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) currently sidelined, it’s tough to draw a complete conclusion, but as things currently stand, Brooks looks like the featured running back in Carolina. Hopefully, he can refine his pass protection and remain on the field for third downs at some point.
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    Jets WR Omar Cooper caught 1-of-1 targets for nine yards in Friday’s preseason game against the Steelers.

    Cooper played extensively in the Jets’ first preseason game, prompting The Athletic’s Zach Rosenblatt to write that WR Isaiah Williams appeared to have overtaken Cooper for the starting slot receiver job. This week, Cooper out-snapped WR Isaiah Williams six to one on the first drive. Williams continued playing on the second drive before rotating with Cooper on the third. PFF’s Nathan Jahnke notes that when Cooper returned, he lined up out wide while Williams manned the slot. Williams caught 3-of-5 targets for 17 yards and one fumble, though it was recovered by the Jets. It appears as though Cooper may have regained his spot as the Jets’ WR3 behind WR1 Garrett Wilson and WR2 Adonai Mitchell. Cooper still makes for a risky late-round dart throw, but he will get more chances to contribute.
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    Steelers RB Jaylen Warren rushed five times for 17 yards in Friday’s preseason game against the Jets.

    Warren played 3-of-3 snaps on the first drive. Steelers RB Rico Dowdle played 4-of-4 snaps on the second. The two backs then rotated on the third. Dowdle rushed five times for 18 yards, adding one reception for two yards. This is about what we expected, though a recent report did indicate that Dowdle would be the Steelers’ “workhorse.” For now, treat both players as reliable FLEX starters with RB2 upside in what should be a split backfield, at least early on.
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    The Athletic’s Matt Barrows believes 49ers WR De’Zhaun Stribling is “going to have a major role” in Week 1 against the Rams.

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    The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia reports that the Bills TE Dalton Kincaid’s “health, summer usage, and ability are all trending toward an enhanced role in 2026.”

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    The Florida Times-Union’s Juston W. Lewis reports that Jaguars WR Jakobi Meyers is wearing “some sort of brace on his right hand.”

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    Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said the team is still trying to find a wide receiver who is “accountable and can help us on Sunday.”

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    Raiders WR Malik Benson caught 1-of-5 targets for 18 yards in Thursday’s preseason game against the Texans.

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    NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco thinks the 49ers “will play it cautiously” with TE George Kittle (Achilles) by keeping him inactive for Week 1 against the Rams.

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