SANTA CLARA, Calif.—Star San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk was not at the start of practice on Wednesday despite the team saying he was cleared by doctors to participate, raising the temperature of a contract “hold in” that has been a cloud over the franchise since the offseason.
Aiyuk had refused to practice all training camp as he seeks a long-term extension or a possible trade, with Coach Kyle Shanahan citing a back injury as the official reason for what is essentially a contract dispute.
Both Shanahan and General Manager John Lynch said before practice that Aiyuk had been cleared by team doctors and the expectation was that he would practice. But Aiyuk was not on the field during the portion open to reporters.
Aiyuk had avoided fines in training camp by reporting to the team and attending meetings but could be subject to punishment now that he isn’t practicing after being cleared by doctors.
“At some point, you have to play,” Lynch said.
According to the collective bargaining agreement, players are subject to fines for missing mandatory practices with those increasing to $16,009 a day by the third offense. Players can also be fined for missing meetings, walkthroughs, or other mandatory sessions, with the maximum for one day reaching $45,769.
Players can be suspended for up to four weeks without pay for “conduct detrimental to the team” if there is a pattern of misbehavior.
Shanahan said punishment is possible if the situation isn’t resolved soon.
“I’ll deal with that when that happens, if that happens,” he said.
Aiyuk had been set to play on the fifth-year option worth about $14.1 million this season and wanted San Francisco to make him the latest receiver to cash in with a long-term deal or trade him to a team of his choosing that would pay him. Eleven NFL receivers have signed contracts worth at least $70 million this offseason, with Justin Jefferson’s four-year, $140 million extension with Minnesota setting the top of the market.
Aiyuk was a key part of San Francisco’s offense last season as he formed a great connection with quarterback Brock Purdy. Aiyuk had 75 catches, a career-high 1,375 yards, and seven touchdowns as he earned second-team All-Pro honors.
The Niners are also without All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, who has been holding out since the start of training camp in search of a new deal. Williams, who is owed about $20 million this year, has accrued more than $4.5 million in mandatory fines.
Lynch said there has been “good communication” with Williams’ camp, with both sides proposing ideas but no breakthroughs thus far.
“I’m optimistic that things will work out with Trent,” Shanahan said. “I’m not sitting here knowing what day it’ll be. We’re getting close to playing a game, so my mind is completely on preparing for the game without those guys. I feel like if two sides want to get a deal done, usually it happens.”
Shanahan has said all options remain open with Aiyuk, including a possible trade, an extension, or Aiyuk playing out the season on his fifth-year option.
“I’ve seen these things look dire before, and they can quickly turn,” Lynch said. “So that gives you hope that we’ve been in these situations before, and those things can quickly be forgotten. We will remain hopeful.”
NOTES: Safety Talanoa Hufanga participated in individual drills in his first practice after a season-ending knee injury last November. ... Running back Elijah Mitchell re-injured his hamstring on Monday and will undergo season-ending surgery. ... Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo tweaked his groin on Monday and won’t practice this week. ... Left guard Aaron Banks (broken finger) is expected back at practice next week and is on track to play in the regular-season opener Sept. 9 against the visiting New York Jets. ... The Niners placed offensive lineman Jon Feliciano (knee) and cornerback Ambry Thomas (forearm) on injured reserve, and waived defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu to create room on the roster to bring back offensive lineman Ben Bartch, tight end Eric Saubert, and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, who were all cut Tuesday.
