49ers OT Trent Williams holding out, WR Brandon Aiyuk holding in - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers were only missing two healthy players at their first practice of training camp on Wednesday. But the two not in attendance also happen to be two of their best and were not participating for the same reason: contract disputes.

In addition to receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who reported on time Tuesday and is at the facility but not practicing (a «hold-in»), the Niners are also without star left tackle Trent Williams. Unlike Aiyuk, Williams did not report for camp and is holding out for what coach Kyle Shanahan described as «contract-related» issues.

«It was something I knew could be a possibility and I was hoping that he would be here,» Shanahan said. «But I knew it could be a possibility and I felt pretty confident it'll all work out in the long run and he'll be here, and we'll get on the same page with everything. But it's just one day of practice and I think Trent will be all right missing a few practices.»

There were signs that Williams might be unhappy with his contract as far back as the spring. Shanahan said that general manager John Lynch and Williams' representatives began discussions around that time, though Williams did show up in Santa Clara for part of the team's mandatory minicamp. He was excused for the other part because his daughter was finishing her school year.

Still, Williams is in a similar boat to where running back Christian McCaffrey was before he signed a reworked contract extension in early June. Like McCaffrey, Williams has multiple years (three in his case) remaining on the six-year, $138.06 million deal he signed with the Niners in 2021.

Also, like pre-extension McCaffrey, Williams' deal includes no more guaranteed money, though the Niners are still on the