The 49ers reached Rayjon Tucker Jersey a critical stage in their ongoing contract dispute with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.San Francisco's doctors cleared Aiyuk medically to participate in practice as of Wednesday, Aug. 28. He had been considered a "hold-in" because he was not practicing due to back and neck sorene s, but his being cleared would potentially force his hand and make him return.The reason? The 49ers could start levying fines against the receiver for mi sing practice. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch expre sed hope Aiyuk would return to practice to avoid those fines.Instead, the 26-year-old remained sidelined, seemingly willing to take on the penalties a sociated with becoming a holdout.Naturally, the latest chapter in the Aiyuk saga has caused many to wonder whether he will play in NFL Week 1 or if his holdout will continue into the 2024 NFL season. Here's what to know about Aiyuk's status, both regarding his availability and a new contract.MORE: Will Brandon Aiyuk play in Week 1?Aiyuk's status for Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season remains unclear, and it appears that San Francisco isn't even sure whether he'll take the field without a new contract extension.The 49ers have clearly communicated their expectations to Aiyuk. They told him he was expected to start practicing Wednesday, as Lynch explained."I'm not going to get into our communication," Lynch said while addre sing the situation, per . "At some point, you've got to play."The 49ers now have the option to fine Aiyuk for mi sing practices. It isn't clear whether they will do that, as it could risk heightening the existing tension between the two parties.That's Joe Ingles Jersey part of the reason Shanahan is leaving all options including an extension, trade or a holdout on the table."Just like I think I've said from the beginning, it's reached a point where all options could happen," Shanahan said. "And nothing has changed on that."The 49ers seem to have admitted there's at least some concern about Aiyuk mi sing Week 1. Why? The team kept seven receivers on their roster through the 53-man roster deadline.But Lynch is holding out hope that the two sides can come together and work something out in advance of the season."I've seen these things look dire before, and they can quickly turn," Lynch said. "So that gives you hope, that we've been in these situations before and those things can quickly be forgotten. We will remain hopeful."It may be tough for Lynch to maintain that attitude after Aiyuk followed up the GM's comments by being absent from practice on Thursday, Aug. 29.MORE: 49ers WR depth chartAs mentioned, the 49ers kept seven receivers on their initial 53-man roster. They are as follows:RankPlayer1Deebo Samuel2Brandon Aiyuk3Jauan Jennings4Ricky Pearsall5Chris Conley6Ronnie Bell7Jacob CowingIf Aiyuk doesn't play, Jennings would likely step into the team's No. 2 receiver role acro s from Samuel. The 2020 seventh- Royce O'Neale Jersey round pick is coming off aseason that saw him catch 19 pa ses for 265 yards and a touchdown in limited action.Pearsall could also be a beneficiary of an Aiyuk holdout or trade. The rookie was selected in the first round out of Florida, and while he didn't do much in the preseason while battling injuries, he has the highest potential among San Francisco's wide-outs.Pearsall might be behind veterans like Conley and Bell early in the season, but he would gradually climb up into a potential starting role acro s from Samuel Udoka Azubuike Jersey without Aiyuk. If the disgruntled veteran remains on the 49ers, Pearsall's ceiling in 2024 is likely as the team's No. 3 receiver.Either way, the 49ers have a solid mix of experience (Jennings, Conley) and upside (Pearsall, Bell and Cowing) even without Aiyuk. Still, Brock Purdy's life won't be easier if the do-it-all wide-out isn't on the field in Week 1.MORE: Brandon Aiyuk contract detailsAiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2024. He will make just over $14.1 million while playing on his fifth-year option before becoming a free agent.A whopping 26 NFL receivers are set to make more in average annual value (AAV) than Aiyuk in 2024. Thus, it's easy to understand why the 2020 first-round pick wants to land a new deal.Aiyuk's contract may not quite approach the $34-35 million in AAV that and Justin Jefferson got, but the 49ers star has a good case to be in or near the $30 million AAV range.MORE: NFL highest-paid receiversBelow is a look at the NFL's highest-paid WRs in AAV, per .RankPlayerTeamAAV1Justin JeffersonVikings$35 million2CeeDee LambCowboys$34 million3A.J. BrownEagles$32 million4Amon-Ra St. BrownLions$30.0025 million5Tyreek HillDolphins$30 million6Jaylen WaddleDolphins$28.25 million7Davante AdamsRaiders$28million8D.J. MooreBears$27.5 million9Cooper KuppRams$26.7 million10DeVonta SmithEagles$25 Derrick Favors Jersey millionAnd here are the NFL's 10 highest-paid receivers in total contract value.RankPlayerTeamContract value1Justin JeffersonVikings$140 millionDavante AdamsRaiders$140 million3CeeDee LambCowboys$136 million4Amon-Ra St. BrownLions$120.01 million5D.J. MooreBears$110 million6Amari CooperBrowns$100 million7A.J. BrownEagles$96 million8Calvin RidleyTitans$92 million9Tyreek HillDolphins$90 million10Jaylen WaddleDolphins$84.75 million