Aiyuk a welcome sight at 49ers practice as contract saga continues

Aiyuk a welcome sight at 49ers practice as contract saga continues originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SANTA CLARA — The biggest development at 49ers training camp practice on Wednesday had nothing to do with anything happening on the field.

Perhaps not an encouraging sign for an NFL team this deep into training camp.

For the first time in approximately a week, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was seen at practice, watching team drills up close from the sidelines. Aiyuk, wearing red, stood next to coaches and team personnel for the majority of 11-on-11s before eventually walking over to teammates Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk where he chatted it up in the final minutes of practice before walking off the field and into the weight room once the session ended.

While every reporter-turned-body-language expert in attendance attempted to analyze Aiyuk’s every move from afar, including yours truly, one thing was clear: Aiyuk was very engaged, talkative and appeared to be in an overall good mood.

Which, as we learned from the “Handshake Gate” two weeks ago, probably is much ado about nothing and likely is just a player engaging in simple pleasantries with his longtime teammates and coaches. Some of which he hasn’t seen or talked to in days, despite being a regular attendee at the facility.

Tight end George Kittle revealed after practice that he recently ran into Aiyuk while out at dinner on one of the team’s recent off nights and caught up with the star receiver who he had not seen or talked to lately.

“Just being able to have a conversation with him, because I don’t see him all the time, I’m in camp mode,” Kittle shared. “Just being able to have a conversation with him is fantastic, just how he’s doing.”

There is no question the 49ers’ offense would take a step back if Aiyuk is not on the roster come Week 1, but right now in training camp, his absence has not significantly disrupted the unit’s overall cohesiveness in practice.

“The season hasn’t started yet…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/aiyuk-welcome-sight-49ers-practice-211915320.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-08-14 21:23:15

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