Steelers' Target Brandon Aiyuk Still Not Practicing; 49ers Trading Block?

The wait for a conclusion to the Brandon Aiyuk situation continues for Pittsburgh Steelers fans, as he missed another practice on Wednesday. The San Francisco 49ers receiver continues to "hold-in" at the team's facility as he pursues a new lucrative contract.

Throughout this holdout, the 49ers fielded trade calls for Aiyuk as the two sides were far apart in contract talks. The Steelers were one of the interested teams, and multiple sources claimed that while terms for a deal between Pittsburgh and Aiyuk had been agreed-to, San Francisco held off on the trade as they continued to negotiate with Aiyuk.

Prior to Wednesday practice, 49ers general manager John Lynch claimed that he expected Aiyuk to practice.

"At some point, you've got to play," said Lynch.

However, practice came and went, and Aiyuk was nowhere to be found, as his "hold-in" continued. Now, with just over a week until both teams begin the regular-season, it will be interesting to see if things begin to develop faster as all sides want to be focused on winning games.

Either way, it has been a long and frustrating situation for fans of both sides as it slowly developed throughout the offseason.

Entering his fifth year in the NFL, Aiyuk had career-high numbers in San Francisco last season, finishing with 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, earning him a spot on the All-Pro second-team.

Related: Steelers Name Russell Wilson as Starting Quarterback

With or without Aiyuk, the Steelers will open their season against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 7.