Team news: San Francisco 49ers

While he’s still seeking a new contract and has requested a trade, receiver Brandon Aiyuk will not hold out.

Per a report from NFL Media, Aiyuk is reporting to training camp.

Related players: Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing

Aiyuk, 26, is slated to make just $14.124 million in 2024 on his fifth-year option. The No. 25 overall pick of the 2020 draft, Aiyuk has demonstrated throughout the offseason that he would like to receive a new contract from San Francisco or be traded to another team willing to give him a new, lucrative deal. But to this point, the 49ers have not expressed a willingness to sign Aiyuk to the deal he desires or move him to another team, the story went on to say. The 49ers drafted Pearsall and Cowing this past spring, but Pearsall is starting camp on the NFI list, according to reports.

49ers TE George Kittle dropped to 214 pounds — a 30-pound loss — after his core muscle surgery (he wasn't able to work out).

Kittle is now fully healthy and back to 240-243 pounds, the rest of the tweet said. Last season, Kittle averaged 5.1 targets per game in 14 games with Deebo Samuel, and saw 18 targets in the two games Samuel missed. In the six games that Samuel has missed over the last two seasons, Kittle has averaged 5.2 receptions for 84 yards and 1.0 touchdown. He’s basically THE fantasy TE1 when Samuel is out and just another TE1 when Samuel is active. Keep in mind that Kittle is entering his age-31 season, though his advanced metrics are still elite.

49ers rookie WR Ricky Pearsall injured his hamstring. Because it happened away from the facility, he is — by rule — on the NFI list instead of the PUP list.

Related players: Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing, Ronnie Bell, Chris Conley

GM Lynch anticipates Pearsall will miss the "first block" of training camp practices — which means the first four sessions, according to the rest of the post. Jennings has been the next man up for the Niners for the last couple seasons, but the rookie Cowing could be an interesting name to watch as well.

We all know the elephant in the room with Brandon Aiyuk. The Steelers need a top-level wide receiver to pair with George Pickens and have been linked to Aiyuk for months now. Whether it’s conjecture or something to it, we will never know unless general manager Omar Khan pulls off a trade with the San Francisco 49ers. It doesn’t look like a sure bet. But with Khan, there’s always a chance.

A trade for Aiyuk would obviously lower Pickens' value, but probably the former's as well. No one is confusing Arthur Smith for Kyle Shanahan.

This hypothetical would do wonders for Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall and George Kittle.

Ricky Pearsall has been easy to pick out in San Francisco 49ers practices.

For one, he’s been the team’s most prominent receiver on the field for most of the spring. Brandon Aiyuk was a no-show on Day 1 of the mandatory minicamp on Tuesday as he continues to hold out for a multiyear contract extension.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley, Jacob Cowing

Barrows went on, “It’s been fun to watch both of them,” Shanahan said of the Purdy-Pearsall connection. “Brock doesn’t always get to watch how the route gets there. But he knows when guys end up in the right spot. That’s when quarterbacks get comfortable, and I think he can make that throw with Ricky right away. He’s been getting to the right spot. And when he has made a mistake, he understands it and corrects it. I think that so far those guys have had a lot of fun working together.”

Pearsall will be very interesting in fantasy should Aiyuk or Samuel miss any time. As it stands, he only profiles as a late-round dart throw

Reigning Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey once again has reset the RB market, signing a two-year extension with the 49ers, averaging $19 million per year.

McCaffrey will receive an additional $8 million over what he was scheduled to make in the first two years while adding $24 million in guarantees.

Related Players: Elijah Mitchell, Isaac Guerendo, Cody Schrader

McCaffrey solidifies himself on one of the best offenses in the league, and should still be viewed as the best RB option in fantasy football.

The 49ers are working to finalize a deal with veteran TE Logan Thomas. After a 55-catch season with the Commanders in 2023, Thomas returns to the NFC West, where he began his career as a QB for the Cardinals.

Related Players: George Kittle, Brayden Willis

This is actually quite an interesting landing spot. Thomas won't have any immediate fantasy upside but would be a streaming option if Kittle were to miss any time.

Restricted free-agent WR Jauan Jennings is signing a two-year deal with the 49ers worth up to $15.4 million, including $10.5 million guaranteed.

Jennings did not sign his free-agent tender and instead did this deal, which is akin to a one-year extension.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Ronnie Bell, Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing

The 49ers are doing all they can to insulate Brock Purdy with weapons, and that should continue to be the case, assuming they don't move on from Samuel or Aiyuk before next season. Jennings doesn't have any standalone fantasy value as it stands, but boosts the offense as a rotational WR3/4.

The Vikings are making another QB change: Jaren Hall will start Sunday night against the Packers.

With playoff hopes on the line in a primetime rivalry game, Minnesota is giving the ball to the rookie from BYU.

Related Players: Nick Mullens, Joshua Dobbs

With Mullens being very turnover prone —to say the least— through his two starts, the team will see if the rookie can keep things under control. This is actually a great spot for fantasy, with Hall proving in the preseason that he isn't afraid to take off with the ball, including his five scrambles in his last appearance. He can be considered a QB streamer for the desperate.

Brock Purdy aggravated the stinger injury he initially suffered against the Cardinals in Week 15. But Purdy said after the game that he’s expecting to be fine for the Week 17 game against Washington and head coach Kyle Shanahan reiterated the same on Tuesday.

“Just watching him, how he was that week [after the Cardinals game], and then just being able to hear how he was today and talk to him last night after the game, I think he’s going to be fine,” Shanahan said, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. “I don’t think it’s going to bother him too [much].

Related players: Sam Darnold

Purdy completed 18-of-32 passes for 255 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions, working out to a career-worst 42.6 passer rating. In his most extended playing time of the season, Darnold finished the game 8-of-14 for 81 yards with a touchdown and a pick, the story said. The Niners travel to Washington in Week 17.