SANTA CLARA — Brandon Aiyuk was a no-show at 49ers practice Wednesday. What made that different than this past month’s boycott of training camp sessions is that he has since been physically cleared to get on the field.
Thus, Aiyuk’s ongoing contract saga could lead to fines, estimated at $6,400 for Wednesday’s absence and increasing daily after that, on top of the $100,000 penalty for missing June’s minicamp.
Coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, speaking an hour before practice, both expressed “hope” Aiyuk would join drills on the field. Instead, Aiyuk was nowhere to be seen as players scattered for warmups, with House of Pain’s anthem “Jump Around” blaring on the field’s loudspeakers.
Asked if discipline would ensue for skipping practice, Shanahan said: “We’ll deal with that when that happens, if that happens.” Lynch echoed those words, and, 30 minutes into practice, he walked alone onto the field as team drills began, which are now closed to the media until next offseason.
“I’m not going to get into our communication again, but at some point, you’ve got to play,” Lynch said.
Aiyuk was to be eased into his first practice since Super Bowl week in Las Vegas. That meant no immediate work against defensive players, but rather individual and position drills.
Aiyuk has not commented publicly since reporting to camp on time and embarking on a “hold-in,” where he’d miss practices because of neck and back issues, which Shanahan unconvincingly cited last month.
“I know he’s been cleared by his doctors so I hope he’s out there practicing today,” Shanahan said.
“He has been cleared and we’re ready to roll,” added Lynch, noting communication has been ongoing with Aiyuk and his agent, Ryan Williams, who Lynch acknowledged is a close friend of his but that has not influenced the contract stalemate.
Aiyuk was thought to be nearing a market-rate extension in the spring, and as recently as this past week. However, he requested a trade a week before camp opened, and he reportedly rebuffed trade proposals in recent weeks.
Shanahan said he “doesn’t really have any expectations” about whether Aiyuk will be available for the Sept. 9 opener.
The final year of Aiyuk’s rookie contract calls for a $14.1 million salary under the fifth-year option. Should he choose to hold out into the season, he must report for at least six games to earn credit for playing this year, although the 49ers still could retain his rights by using the franchise tag on him next February. His fine could jump to $11,206 for missing Thursday’s practice, then $16,009 for next Tuesday’s, and up to a maximum of $45,769 a day for future practices and meetings.
As for Aiyuk’s conditioning, Shanahan said: “I know what he’s told me. But I want to see it.”
Deebo Samuel and Chris Conley led wide receivers through warmups. That unit was also missing Jauan Jennings (oblique) but did have first-round pick Ricky Pearsall in a non-contact jersey because of a lingering shoulder issue.
WILLIAMS’ HOLDOUT
Lynch offered “no updates” regarding left tackle Trent Williams’ holdout that has drawn over $5 million in fines per the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement. “There’s good communication. We’ve been throwing out ideas to have a breakthrough and it hasn’t happened yet,” Lynch said.
Williams has not spoken with Shanahan in recent days, and each passing day without a contract resolution “makes it harder and harder,” Shanahan said. “I’m optimistic things will work out with Trent.”
Lynch would not reveal whether Williams has threatened to retire if a new deal is not made. Lynch instead unapologetically lavished praise on Williams as a player and leader who arrived in a trade four years ago from Washington. “We value Trent, love Trent, and we want him here, and hope that happens soon,” Lynch said.
GUERENDO, BANKS HEALTH UPDATES
While NFL rushing champion Christian McCaffrey continued to work on the side as he rehabilitates an Aug. 4 calf strain, the 49ers were down another running back. Rookie Isaac Guerendo tweaked his groin during Monday’s practice, thus sidelining the 49ers’ best kick-return threat for at least the rest of the week, Shanahan said.
Monday’s practice took a more dire toll on fellow running back Elijah Mitchell, who aggravated a hamstring injury to the point that team doctors recommended season-ending surgery. Mitchell went on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, a move that Shanahan described as “terrible” for a well-liked teammate.
Left guard Aaron Banks, who recently had pinky surgery, will rejoin team drills next Tuesday when the 49ers return from their four-day break. Others who did not practice were defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) and linebacker Dee Winters (ankle).
HUFANGA TIMELINE
Safety Talanoa Hufanga made his practice debut today, a day after being activated off the Physically Unable To Perform list. “Will he be ready for Week 1? Not sure,” Shanahan said. “Going to be tight. But it was telling to not keep him on PUP.”
DEPTH CHART MYSTERIES
Shanahan said he’s yet to decide whether Brandon Allen or Josh Dobbs is Brock Purdy’s immediate backup, noting that it has been a neck-and-neck race. Rookie Dominick Puni has taken all first-team reps at right guard since Day 3 of camp, yet Shanahan was reluctant to publicly confirm Wednesday that Puni is the starter. “It’s going to be hard to take that from him,” Shanahan said.
ROSTER MOVES
Tight end Eric Saubert, offensive lineman Ben Bartch and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin rejoined the roster a day after being released.
Guard Jon Feliciano (knee) and cornerback Ambry Thomas (forearm) went on Injured Reserve, and defensive end Sam Okuayinonu was waived, in corresponding roster moves.
PRACTICE SQUAD MAKEUP
Perhaps the most notable practice squad signing is veteran safety Tracy Walker III, who figures to be elevated to the game-day roster in Week 1 if Hufanga is not ready.
Tight ends Brayden Willis and Mason Pline also returned with practice-squad assignments, while 2022 third-round pick Cam Latu did not and headed to the Browns’ practice squad, Lynch said.
Rookie Tanner Mordecai was added to the practice squad, presumably to again be fourth in the quarterback rotation. Other practice squad signings: wide receivers Trent Taylor and Tay Martin; defensive tackles T.Y. McGill and Evan Anderson; defensive end Jonathan Garvin; cornerback Chase Lucas; safety Jaylen Mahoney; and, offensive linemen Ben Bartch, Drake Nugent, Sebastian Gutierrez, and Isaac Alarcon on an Internation Player Pathway exemption. One of two remaining practice-squad spots is ticketed for former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr., Shanahan confirmed.
WAIVER WIRE CLAIMS
Three ex-49ers were claimed off waivers: running back Cody Schrader, by the Los Angeles Rams; cornerback Sam Womack, by the Indianapolis Colts; and, offensive lineman Jarrett Kingston, by the Carolina Panthers.
Linebacker Jalen Graham, the 49ers’ final draft pick last year, reportedly joined the Commanders’ practice squad after being waived Tuesday.
