Brandon Aiyuk has been medically cleared to play but continues to be absent for the San Francisco 49ers. The wide receiver wanted a new contract and then requested a trade when that didn’t happen. As the preseason comes to an end and the regular season is almost here, Aiyuk still hasn’t shown up.
This could result in fines, and substantial ones at that, as per ESPN. Both head coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch expressed hope that Aiyuk would come to practice since he’s been cleared, but he has yet to reward their hope.
Since he’s been cleared and didn’t show up, he is subject to hefty fines. The injuries allowed him to avoid a $ 40,000-a-day fine for being absent, but that’s not the case anymore.
Shanahan was blunt when asked about it, via ESPN:
“I’ll deal with that when that happens. If that happens.”
Lynch also refused to provide specifics on the situation:
“I’m not going to get into our communication. At some point, you’ve got to play.”
So far, Aiyuk has missed all 20 of the 49ers’ pre-cut-down practices and all of their preseason games. They have negotiated both an extension in San Francisco and potential trade locations during that time to no avail.
Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch address Brandon Aiyuk situation
The third option, one that seems very unlikely, is that the San Francisco 49ers don’t extend or trade Brandon Aiyuk and he suits up for the season opener. The wide receiver is under contract for just over $14 million this season.
Kyle Shanahan said, via ESPN:
“Just like I think I’ve said from the beginning, it’s reached a point where all options could happen. And nothing has changed on that.”
John Lynch remains optimistic because the team has experienced this before:
“I’ve seen these things look dire before, and they can quickly turn. So that gives you hope, that we’ve been in these situations before and those things can quickly be forgotten. We will remain hopeful.”
Trent Williams, star left tackle, is also in the midst of a holdout, so the 49ers are currently missing two key offensive pieces.
