Brandon Aiyuk was spotted observing San Francisco 49ers practice for the first time in a couple of weeks, engaging with teammates and coaches during Wednesday's session. Fans are still awaiting updates on Aiyuk's situation as the receiver seeks to become one of the NFL's highest-paid wideouts. There's also a possibility that the 49ers may trade Aiyuk to the Pittsburgh Steelers, with reports suggesting that both teams have contract extension offers on the table.
Aiyuk requested a trade before the start of training camp and has yet to participate in practice as his contract status remains in limbo. His appearance on Wednesday led reporters to ask some of his 49ers teammates about his absence from the field and if the receiver's presence is missed.
"The season hasn't started yet, so we don't know how much we miss him," cornerback Charvarius Ward responded. "I think the offense is still clicking on all cylinders."
When asked for his thoughts on the overall situation, Ward hesitated before replying, "I don't know, to be honest. I don't want to say nothing crazy, but they'll figure it out eventually, for sure. They'll figure it out."
Tight end George Kittle was also asked about Aiyuk's absence and agreed with Ward's assessment of the locker room's mindset.
"I love Aiyuk," Kittle commented. "I've played with him for four years. I love his mindset every single day. You guys asked Mooney (Ward), 'Do you guys miss him?' And I think Mooney answered it perfect. It's like, we haven't played a game without him yet, so as an offense, we don't know how much [we miss him] because you interchange pieces all the time.
"And we've had Trent Williams hurt in a game, and we've still won. So it's like, yeah, you miss him, but you can make do with it. So we don't know, at the end of the day. But I do know that Aiyuk is a fantastic football player, and the energy that he brings every single day just elevates us."
Kittle was among several players Aiyuk interacted with during Wednesday's practice.
"So just being able to have a conversation with him [was great] because I don't see him all the time," Kittle added. "I'm in camp mode. Just being able to have a conversation with him is fantastic, just how he's doing and if everything's going the way that he wants it to go. It was actually fun.
"We went to dinner on one of our off nights, and we're pulling out of valet, and he parks into valet. And so just seeing him, I was, 'Hey, I haven't seen you in a couple of days. How are you doing?' So just the chance to see him is always fantastic. I love the smile on his face."
