San Francisco 49ers star receiver Brandon Aiyuk is expected to practice soon for the first time this summer, but he was absent at the start of practice on Wednesday, per reports.
The star receiver is also apparently no closer to signing a long-term extension with the team. Coach Kyle Shanahan spoke Wednesday before the team held its first practice since reducing the roster to 53 players and said he hoped that Aiyuk would be on the field after a lengthy contract "hold in." "I know he's been cleared by our doctors so I hope that he's out there practicing today," Shanahan said.
Aiyuk skipped the entire offseason program as he sought a long-term extension or a possible trade to a team willing to pay him.
He reported to training camp in July to avoid fines but has refused to practice without a deal, with Shanahan citing a back injury as the official reason.