The San Francisco 49ers’ difficult summer continues with the team forced to cancel a joint training session with the New Orleans Saints.
With stars Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams holding out due to contract issues, the 49ers didn’t have enough healthy players to practice with their NFC rival.
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As many as 23 players missed the final practice for various reasons before San Francisco’s 17-13 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, the Bay Area News Group‘ reported Cam Inman.
With much of the 90-man roster unavailable, the 49ers decided not to join the Saints at training camp in Irvine, Calif., for Thursday and Friday’s scrimmages.
“Kyle reached out to me yesterday, letting me know that they have some things going on in terms of having enough capable bodies to have some good practices,” Saints coach Dennis Allen said Sunday.
After the loss to Tennesee, Shanahan said he would still like to see his players practice with another NFL team.
“It’s awesome to get a chance to fight people,” the 49ers coach said.
“We’re a little banged up, so we have to figure out how to get it out.
“Last week we had 23 players out from the last training session, so hopefully we can get more of them back so we can have a decent fight.”
The 49ers have yet to resolve contract issues with Aiyuk, 26, and Williams, 36.
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Recent reports state that the team has resumed negotiations regarding a new deal with the All-Pro wide receiver.
“Brandon Aiyuk wants to be there,” NFL insider Diana Russini said Friday.
“He wants to play for San Francisco. He moved his family there in the offseason. They’ve settled in.”
The possibility of Aiyuk remaining at Levi’s Stadium is considered increasingly likely despite San Francisco listening to offers for the star.
Still, the situation is fluid, reports state, with the Pittsburgh Steelers continuing to be a team to watch in the Aiyuk sweepstakes.
While Aiyuk’s rookie contract expires next year, Williams’ contract runs until 2027.
Important NFL Dates
August 1 – Hall of Fame Game – Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears
August 8th – start of pre-season
August 27 – Deadline for 53-player rosters
September 1st – Last day of pre-season
September 5th – season opener – Baltimore Ravens x Kansas City Chiefs
November 5th – Negotiation deadline
January 5th – Week 18 of the regular season
January 11th – start of playoffs
February 9 – Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana
But it’s understood the star offensive tackle is happy to hold out as long as necessary to force the 49ers to give him a pay rise.
The 11-time Pro Bowler’s boycott has cost him $50,000 a day since training camp opened.
Things got even more expensive on Saturday when Williams missed the preseason matchup with the Titans.
The All-Pro offensive lineman reportedly lost $1.1 million, or the equivalent of a week of his base salary, because of the absence.
The 49ers will continue their preseason with a matchup against the Saints on Sunday, August 18th.
They will open the 2024 NFL regular season with a home matchup against the New York Jets on Monday, September 9th.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
