WILL BRANDON AIYUK PLAY IN WEEK 1? WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT STATUS OF 49ERS AMID HOLDOUT, CONTRACT DISPUTE
The 49ers reached a critical stage in their ongoing contract dispute with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
San Francisco's doctors cleared Aiyuk medically to participate in practice as of Wednesday, Aug. 28. He had been considered a "hold-in" because he was not practicing due to back and neck soreness, but his being cleared would potentially force his hand and make him return.
The reason? The 49ers could start levying fines against the receiver for missing practice. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch expressed hope Aiyuk would return to practice to avoid those fines.
Instead, the 26-year-old remained sidelined, seemingly willing to take on the penalties associated with becoming a holdout.
Naturally, the latest chapter in the Aiyuk saga has caused many to wonder whether he will play in NFL Week 1 or if his holdout will continue into the 2024 NFL season. Here's what to know about Aiyuk's status, both regarding his availability and a new contract.
MORE: Where Brandon Aiyuk ranks among top WRs for 2024 NFL season
Will Brandon Aiyuk play in Week 1?
Aiyuk's status for Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season remains unclear, and it appears that San Francisco isn't even sure whether he'll take the field without a new contract extension.
The 49ers have clearly communicated their expectations to Aiyuk. They told him he was expected to start practicing Wednesday, as Lynch explained.
"I'm not going to get into our communication," Lynch said while addressing the situation, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "At some point, you've got to play."
The 49ers now have the option to fine Aiyuk for missing practices. It isn't clear whether they will do that, as it could risk heightening the existing tension between the two parties.
That's part of the reason Shanahan is leaving all options — including an extension, trade or a holdout — on the table.
"Just like I think I've said from the beginning, it's reached a point where all options could happen," Shanahan said. "And nothing has changed on that."
The 49ers seem to have admitted there's at least some concern about Aiyuk missing Week 1. Why? The team kept seven receivers on their roster through the 53-man roster deadline.
But Lynch is holding out hope that the two sides can come together and work something out in advance of the season.
"I've seen these things look dire before, and they can quickly turn," Lynch said. "So that gives you hope, that we've been in these situations before and those things can quickly be forgotten. We will remain hopeful."
It may be tough for Lynch to maintain that attitude after Aiyuk followed up the GM's comments by being absent from practice on Thursday, Aug. 29.
MORE: Ranking the NFL's top QBs for 2024, from Patrick Mahomes to Gardner Minshew
49ers WR depth chart
As mentioned, the 49ers kept seven receivers on their initial 53-man roster. They are as follows:
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Deebo Samuel |
| 2 | Brandon Aiyuk |
| 3 | Jauan Jennings |
| 4 | Ricky Pearsall |
| 5 | Chris Conley |
| 6 | Ronnie Bell |
| 7 | Jacob Cowing |
If Aiyuk doesn't play, Jennings would likely step into the team's No. 2 receiver role across from Samuel. The 2020 seventh-round pick is coming off a season that saw him catch 19 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown in limited action.
Pearsall could also be a beneficiary of an Aiyuk holdout or trade. The rookie was selected in the first round out of Florida, and while he didn't do much in the preseason while battling injuries, he has the highest potential among San Francisco's wide-outs.
Pearsall might be behind veterans like Conley and Bell early in the season, but he would gradually climb up into a potential starting role across from Samuel without Aiyuk. If the disgruntled veteran remains on the 49ers, Pearsall's ceiling in 2024 is likely as the team's No. 3 receiver.
Either way, the 49ers have a solid mix of experience (Jennings, Conley) and upside (Pearsall, Bell and Cowing) even without Aiyuk. Still, Brock Purdy's life won't be easier if the do-it-all wide-out isn't on the field in Week 1.
MORE: How Trent Williams' holdout could impact key 49ers weapons like CMC, Deebo
Brandon Aiyuk contract details
Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2024. He will make just over $14.1 million while playing on his fifth-year option before becoming a free agent.
A whopping 26 NFL receivers are set to make more in average annual value (AAV) than Aiyuk in 2024. Thus, it's easy to understand why the 2020 first-round pick wants to land a new deal.
Aiyuk's contract may not quite approach the $34-35 million in AAV that CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson got, but the 49ers star has a good case to be in — or near — the $30 million AAV range.
MORE: Why Trent Williams is holding out from 49ers for new contract
NFL highest-paid receivers
Below is a look at the NFL's highest-paid WRs in AAV, per OverTheCap.com.
| Rank | Player | Team | AAV |
| 1 | Justin Jefferson | Vikings | $35 million |
| 2 | CeeDee Lamb | Cowboys | $34 million |
| 3 | A.J. Brown | Eagles | $32 million |
| 4 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | Lions | $30.0025 million |
| 5 | Tyreek Hill | Dolphins | $30 million |
| 6 | Jaylen Waddle | Dolphins | $28.25 million |
| 7 | Davante Adams | Raiders | $28 million |
| 8 | D.J. Moore | Bears | $27.5 million |
| 9 | Cooper Kupp | Rams | $26.7 million |
| 10 | DeVonta Smith | Eagles | $25 million |
And here are the NFL's 10 highest-paid receivers in total contract value.
| Rank | Player | Team | Contract value |
| 1 | Justin Jefferson | Vikings | $140 million |
| Davante Adams | Raiders | $140 million | |
| 3 | CeeDee Lamb | Cowboys | $136 million |
| 4 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | Lions | $120.01 million |
| 5 | D.J. Moore | Bears | $110 million |
| 6 | Amari Cooper | Browns | $100 million |
| 7 | A.J. Brown | Eagles | $96 million |
| 8 | Calvin Ridley | Titans | $92 million |
| 9 | Tyreek Hill | Dolphins | $90 million |
| 10 | Jaylen Waddle | Dolphins | $84.75 million |