Aiyuk isn't expected to play in Saturday's preseason game against Minnesota, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The same goes for TE George Kittle and fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel, the two other candidates to lead San Francisco in targets this year. It may be a matter of usage rather than skill, given that Samuel has value as a rusher and Kittle as a blocker. Aiyuk is the least proven of the trio, but also the one whose role is most heavily centered on catching passes.

Aiyuk isn't slated to play in Friday's preseason game versus the Packers, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The same can be said for fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel, running back Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) and tight end George Kittle. With Samuel and Aiyuk in street clothes, Jauan Jennings, Danny Gray and Ray-Ray McCloud, among others are the WRs available to the 49ers.

Aiyuk has made a strong impression on teammates and reporters alike, with safety Jimmie Ward saying the wideout is "taking his game to another level" and ESPN's Nick Wagoner calling him "the team's most consistent offensive performer" at training camp.

EDGE Analysis

Aiyuk certainly won't be the best player in an offense with Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Trent Williams, but it does seem teammates -- including Ward and LB Fred Warner -- expect Aiyuk to at least approach that level. Warner and Aiyuk made headlines for a couple of brawls in training camp, with the linebacker saying afterward that he'd specifically chosen to antagonize the wideout to bring out the best in him. Camp hype aside, Aiyuk is locked in as a starter and should form a three-headed monster with Samuel and Kittle as the lead pass catchers, giving 22-year-old QB Trey Lance all the help he can ask for. Camp reports on Lance have been far less optimistic than those on Aiyuk, and it remains to be seen how much coach Kyle Shanahan trusts his young passer to throw on early downs.

Aiyuk has excelled in training camp for the 49ers, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

EDGE Analysis

Aiyuk reportedly struggled in spring practices, but his play in training camp has earned rave reviews. The 2020 first-round pick was in the doghouse early last season but stepped up his play in the second half of 2021 and appears poised to pick up where he left off late last season.

Aiyuk spent time working with Trey Lance during the offseason, but the two weren't always on the same page during spring practices, according to Jack Hammer of The Press Democrat.

EDGE Analysis

It's a small sample of non-contact practices, but there is some extra attention on Aiyuk after a poor 2021 offseason led to a role reduction in September and early October. The 2020 first-round pick improved throughout the year and ultimately finished with a respectable total of 826 receiving yards, albeit with 12 fewer targets than in his rookie season despite playing five more games. The switch to Lance at QB may also prove problematic for Aiyuk's target volume, as the 2021 third overall pick looked more adept as a runner than as a passer in limited playing time during his rookie year. There is opportunity for Aiyuk to learn a large share of what likely will be a lower-volume passing game, as TE George Kittle always loses some pass snaps to blocking and WR Deebo Samuel may get a bunch of his touches on the ground again.

Aiyuk hauled in four of eight targets for 69 yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Rams.

EDGE Analysis

Aiyuk bounced back from a zero-touch outing in the 49ers' win over the Packers in the divisional round, finishing first in targets and second in receiving behind Deebo Samuel (4-72-1). The 23-year-old finished the regular season with roughly the same amount of production (843 combined yards and five TDs) as we saw in his rookie year (825 combined yards and seven TDs). It is worth noting that a good portion of those stats came in the second half after he worked his way out of Kyle Shanahan's doghouse to begin the year. Deebo Samuel and George Kittle are the proven superstars on this offense, but Aiyuk has the YAC ability to post some meaningful fantasy lines in 2022 if he can carry over his late-season momentum, especially if Trey Lance takes over as starting quarterback and opens up what was a limited game plan under Jimmy Garoppolo.

Aiyuk was held without a carry or reception while receiving one target in Saturday's 13-10 win over Green Bay.

EDGE Analysis

This was a slogging and treacherous contest as both teams battled a combination of great defensive play and the freezing elements of Lambeau Field. Aiyuk was one of the first wideouts to be targeted by Jimmy Garoppolo in the opening offensive drive of the game, but the wideout had the ball knocked loose on what was initially ruled a catch and fumble. The 23-year-old was not targeted for the remainder of the game, but that likely had more to do with Garoppolo's (thumb/shoulder) lackluster play. With next week's tilt being played either in Los Angeles or in the usually warm Tampa Bay climate, Aiyuk could be in line for a bounce-back performance while also possibly carrying a sleeper price tag in DFS formats after this week's zero burger.

Aiyuk caught five of six targets for 66 yards in Sunday's 23-17 win over the Cowboys in the wild-card round.

EDGE Analysis

The second-year wideout was Jimmy Garoppolo's favorite target on the afternoon, leading the 49ers in catches, targets and receiving yards as the team mostly kept the ball on the ground. With Garoppolo still nursing a thumb injury, that formula isn't likely to change next weekend in the divisional round against the Packers, so Aiyuk will likely need to score to make a big fantasy splash.

Aiyuk caught six of seven targets for 107 yards in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Rams.

EDGE Analysis

Aiyuk played a key role in the passing game for the 49ers, delivering on a couple of big plays at the end of the first half and also in overtime to help San Francisco secure a playoff berth. The 23-year-old began his sophomore campaign in the doghouse, but he finished strong with 68.5 receiving yards per game and four touchdowns over the last 10 games of the season. Aiyuk didn't deliver on his sleeper status in 2021, but he may get another chance come draft season following his strong finish to the regular season. As for the remainder of this season, Aiyuk will play an integral role in the passing attack when the 49ers face the Cowboys next week.

Aiyuk corralled four of six targets for 94 yards in Sunday's 23-7 win over the Texans.

EDGE Analysis

Aiyuk collected 94 of rookie Trey Lance's 249 passing yards, most of which came in the second half of the contest. Deebo Samuel and Elijah Mitchell (knee) were the recipients of Lance's two touchdown throws, but Aiyuk set up both scores with big chunk plays between the 20s. The rookie quarterback was inconsistent at times, but he eventually got the ball into most of his playmakers' hands. Jimmy Garoppolo (thumb) is considered questionable for the team's Week 18 finale against the Rams, but Aiyuk will retain modest fantasy value with either of San Francisco's potential starting quarterbacks.