The NFL's collective bargaining agreement includes a provision that allows the San Francisco 49ers to withhold payment from wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk during a two-week roster exemption period, according to a report by Mike Florio of ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports.
The roster exemption mechanism, outlined in the CBA, gives teams flexibility in managing player availability and salary cap implications under specific circumstances. Aiyuk, a key offensive weapon for the 49ers, would not receive his regular salary for the duration of the exemption.
The report, published on November 11, 2026, did not specify the reason for Aiyuk's placement on the exemption list, nor the exact dates of the two-week period. The 49ers have not publicly commented on the situation.
