Brandon Aiyuk has been noticeably absent from San Francisco 49ers practices this week. Although he has appeared at several other sessions, he hasn't participated in on-field workouts. Aiyuk is present at training camp but is "holding in" as he seeks a contract extension, whether that be with the 49ers or a potential trade partner.
The 49ers have been working to get Aiyuk signed and back on the field, but the process has been more challenging than initially anticipated.
"I can tell you that we've continued to be in communication," general manager John Lynch said this week in a radio interview. "Just nothing to report there. Just going to leave it at that, and we'll continue to work on it."
With Week 1 against the New York Jets fast approaching, Lynch and the 49ers feel a sense of urgency to resolve Aiyuk's situation. Will head coach Kyle Shanahan have to start the regular season without his top receiver?
"We're not there yet, but we're getting close," Lynch responded. "I mean, it's right around the corner. So we're going to continue to try to work things out, and we'll see where these things go."
Aiyuk is coming off his best statistical season, recording 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the team in receiving yards for the second straight year. This followed an impressive offseason in which Aiyuk stood out as the best offensive player during training camp.
Even if Aiyuk's contract situation is resolved, his missed time could impact his early-season performance.
"His most recent practice came at UNLV when San Francisco was preparing for the Super Bowl," Matt Barrows of The Athletic wrote. "He's been staying in shape on his own, but it's very hard to see him reaching the level he was in at this point last year, especially early in the season."
Aiyuk started last season strong, with eight catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets in the opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers—ironically, one of the teams he's reportedly open to joining despite their quarterback uncertainties.
Aiyuk finished last season with seven 100-yard games. To put that into perspective, the receiver had four career 100-yard games before last season.
With Aiyuk sidelined, Deebo Samuel has stepped up as the top receiver during training camp and looks to be in the best shape of his career. He could be poised for his best season since 2021, when he racked up 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns.
"It's not a stretch to think, even if Aiyuk and the 49ers end their impasse soon, Samuel at least begins the season as Purdy's preferred target while Aiyuk rounds into form," Barrows concluded.
