SANTA CLARA — Brandon Aiyuk is expected to put on a 49ers uniform and practice today for the first time since last season’s Super Bowl run.
“Hope so. Haven’t gotten to see him today. I hope so,” coach Kyle Shanahan said an hour before practice. “I know he’s been cleared by his doctors so I hope he’s practicing today.”
That, however, does not end his contract saga.
Whether Aiyuk is finally drawing close to a market-rate extension or whether he’s surprisingly willing to play out his rookie contract on a $14.1 million salary, no one is tipping their hand in this offseason’s most protected business matter, which also spawned trade possibilities for the 49ers’ leading receiver since 2022.
“It’s reached a point where all options can happen, and nothing has changed on that,” Shanahan said.
Shanahan said Aiyuk will be eased into his first practice since Super Bowl week in Las Vegas. That means no immediate work against defensive players, but more so individual and position drills.
Shanahan and general manager John Lynch met with the media roughly an hour before practice, intending to review Tuesday’s initial 53-man roster moves while unavoidably fielding questions about Aiyuk as well as left tackle Trent Williams’ contract holdout.
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. I’m not sitting here knowing what day it will be.”
Shanahan noted he’s otherwise preparing to play without Williams and Aiyuk in the Sept. 9 opener against the New York Jets.
Aiyuk has previously expressed interest in joining the Washington Commanders and former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels. Tuesday, Commanders general manager Adam Peters said of whether a general “major move” could go down before the season, to which he replied: “We’re always going to do what we think is best for the team. If a major move comes across and we talk through it and it’s best for the long run, we’ll talk through it. We’re not averse to it. But we’re not going to make a splash move just to make a splash move. … That group of eligible receivers is really good.”
PRACTICE SQUAD MAKEUP
Perhaps the most notable practice-squad signing is that of veteran safety Tracy Walker III, who figures to be elevated to the game-day roster in Week 1 if Talanoa Hufanga’s ACL comeback warrants that backup plan.
Tight ends Brayden Willis and Mason Pline also returned with practice-squad assignments, while 2022 third-round pick Cam Latu did not. (A day after keeping George Kittle and Jake Tonges as their only tight ends, the 49ers reportedly made 53-man roster room for veteran Eric Saubert, who established himself as the No. 2 tight end throughout training camp and the preseason.)
Rookie Tanner Mordecai was added to the practice squad, presumably to again be fourth in the quarterback rotation behind Brock Purdy, Brandon Allen and Josh Dobbs.
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 reportedly is ticketed for former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr., according to Aaron Wilson of Houston’s KPRC-2.
WAIVER WIRE CLAIMS
Three ex-49ers got 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 Washington Commanders’ practice squad after being waived Tuesday.
