Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was set up for an awfully lengthy recovery after suffering both a torn ACL and MCL during the early half of the San Francisco 49ers' 2024 campaign.
Unlike a clean ACL tear, Aiyuk's knee had significant damage, meaning it'd likely be at least a full calendar year before he'd be ready and able to return to action. And, throughout much of the leadup to the 2025 season, and then weeks therein, the constant feed of updates from both general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan consisted of phrases like "he's better this week than last.