49ers' Shanahan, Lynch Discuss Brandon Aiyuk's Status amid Contract, Trade Rumors

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manger John Lynch say negotiations with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk remain unsettled less than two weeks before the start of the 2024 season.

"It's reached a point where all options could happen, and nothing has changed on that," Shanahan said Wednesday, per Cam Inman of the Mercury News.

Shanahan said he "doesn't really have any expectations" regarding Aiyuk's availability for Week 1, per Inman.

Aiyuk has yet to participate in 49ers practice this offseason amid a hold-in over an extension of his rookie contract. He was not present again at the beginning of Wednesday's practice, Matt Maiocco reported for NBC Sports.

"At some point, you've got to play," Lynch said about Aiyuk, per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.

The 49ers open the regular season on Sept. 9 against the New York Jets.

Shanahan has previously told reporters that Aiyuk was sitting out from practices because of a back injury.

Both he and Lynch said before practice on Wednesday that the 26-year-old had been cleared to rejoin the team.

"We'll see," Lynch said about the likelihood the 49ers would see Aiyuk at practice. "I know he's here today, and that's the expectation."

When asked what would happen if Aiyuk did not join practice, Lynch responded, "Then we'll deal with that."

Aiyuk made 105 catches for a career-high 1,342 receiving yards while recording seven touchdowns in 16 starts for the 49ers last season as a top target for Brock Purdy.

He has been the subject of trade rumors amid his hold-in this offseason, particularly involving the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, but reportedly restarted talks with the 49ers earlier this month.

Shanahan told reporters on Wednesday that he was preparing for the possibility of starting the regular season without Aiyuk or offensive tackle Trent Williams, who is holding out for a new contract of his own.

"We're getting close to playing a game," Shanahan said. "So my mind is completely on preparing for a game without those guys."

With the 53-man roster finalized for the 2024 season, the 49ers are now expecting Aiyuk to practice, but it remains to be seen whether the wideout will rejoin the team before finalizing a new deal.