There is a lot to chew on after the 49ers made their roster cuts. Preparations shift firmly to the New York Jets, and that means the 49ers need their focus on practice.
The 49ers' brass told us Wednesday that Brandon Aiyuk is healthy and that he is expected to practice. Aiyuk did not practice.
Aiyuk to be disciplined after declining to practice?
Kyle Shanahan made some fairly interesting comments about the status of Aiyuk, after Aiyuk went with the hold-in strategy. He claimed a sore back in order to avoid practice while negotiations with the 49ers' front office have gone on.
But Shanahan said Wednesday that Aiyuk has been cleared to practice by the 49ers. This came after a report from NFL Network's Mike Garafolo that Aiyuk could return to practice Wednesday.
“I know he's been cleared by our doctors so I hope that he's out there practicing today," Shanahan said.
That is very clearly a warning shot at Aiyuk.
When asked if he would discipline the fifth-year wide receiver if he did not participate, Shanahan did not comment directly.
"I'll deal with that, if that happens," Shanahan said.
John Lynch said roughly the same thing about disciplining him.
"We'll see," Lynch said. "I know he's here today. And that's the expectation... At some point you gotta play."
After saying that he and Trent Williams have had "good communication," Lynch was asked whether he and Aiyuk and his reps have "good communication." He said there's been "communication," declining to characterize it as good.
Aiyuk didn't practice Wednesday. Now we see if/how the 49ers discipline him, and whether we're heading towards him playing on the fifth-year option.
Trent Williams optimism?
There is clearly more optimism on the Trent Williams front than there is for Aiyuk. Shanahan was asked if he is indeed optimistic about Williams, and seemed to suggest he was.
It's still not quite clear when that would be, though.
"I'm optimistic that things will work out with Trent," Shanahan said. "I'm not sitting here knowing what day it'll be... When two sides want to get a deal done, usually it happens."
John Lynch said that the 49ers have been, "Constantly working, throwing out ideas," to Williams and his representatives.
Here's the only idea that matters: paying Williams whatever he's asking for. Because the future Hall of Famer is not bluffing.
Injury updates
The 49ers were hit with injuries in the backfield. Elijah Mitchell, Shanahan said, aggravated a hamstring injury so badly that he needed season-ending surgery. Shanahan called him a "stud" and was gutted by the injury.
Also injured? Isaac Guerendo. Shanahan said he was also hurt Monday, aggravating his groin. He's hoped to return next week, but lower body injuries are clearly a concern with him.
Meanwhile, Aaron Banks (broken pinky) is expected to return to practice next Tuesday and be ready for Week 1. Talanoa Hufanga will make his practice debut Wednesday in individual drills.
Follow Jake on Twitter/X @hutchdiesel for more 49ers content. Listen to his hit with Willard and Dibs above, or read his exclusive profile on Fred Warner below.
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