Brandon Aiyuk, along with seemingly the rest of the skill position players of the San Francisco 49ers aside from Christian McCaffrey, has faced a struggle on the injury front. However, no matter how bad it got, the light at the end of the tunnel for some was getting Aiyuk back.For many others, that hope has begun to fade, leading KMBR reporter Markus Boucher to ask 49ers general manager John Lynch whether Aiyuk could miss the season. In a quote posted on X by KMBR on Thursday, Lynch refused to rule out Aiyuk for the season, stating that he didn't "intend" to keep Aiyuk off the field for 2025.“That’s not the intention," Lynch stated. "The intention is to get Brandon back. We’re not there yet. So we’ll continue to have him excel with his rehab. We just have to get him to a place where we are comfortable to open that window and see if he can make it back on the field.”Of course, the pessimistic community could point out that Lynch's statement was merely about intention instead of a promise of what is to come. Based on that, one could make an objective argument that Aiyuk could miss the season regardless. However, if he returns, when could that be?Brandon Aiyuk's injury sets stage for critical 2026 campaignBrandon Aiyuk at San Francisco 49ers v Seattle Seahawks - Source: GettyOn Oct. 20, Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL against the Kansas City Chiefs. More than a year later, a concrete return timeline remains elusive. John Lynch might not be ready to throw in the towel on Aiyuk arriving as a potentially clutch late-season game-changer, but the chances are becoming slimmer with each passing day.With every passing day also comes additional damage to Aiyuk's standing with the team. Due to how his contract was structured, the receiver could find himself on the hot seat in 2026. According to Spotrac, Aiyuk's four-year, $120 million contract contains a 2027 out option for the 49ers in which they would be financially incentivized to move on from the receiver.The injury essentially ruined his 2024 campaign and has also cost him the majority of his 2025 campaign. With only 2026 guaranteed for Brandon Aiyuk, the outside pressure on the receiver will be as high as it ever has been.Of course, the injury might buy him some slack, but will the San Francisco 49ers maintain their optimism? Can he make up for two disastrous years in 2026 to secure his high-priced place on the team in 2027?