Brandon Aiyuk’s 49ers future dims while Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall march into Monday matchup

SANTA CLARA Late-November football is here and so is Brock Purdy So is Ricky Pearsall So is almost all their offense with one major exception Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is still not in a ers uniform and he might never be again The ers as first shared Friday by The Athletic have voided the million bonus guaranteed for in Aiyuk s contract which was contentiously hashed out prior to last season four years million That move signals Aiyuk s expected ouster next spring and while that mutual adjustment happened months ago Aiyuk continues to summary for morning conditioning sessions at the crew facility according to a band source Aiyuk a -yard-plus receiver in and has been recovering from last season s knee injury and doing so out of population sight the past two months His option bonus of million was guaranteed once he remained on the roster this past April General manager John Lynch disclosed last week the ers intention is for Aiyuk to return this season and the mercurial wide receiver indeed looked on track to do so as he shadowed practices through camp and September Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan often have cited Aiyuk s delayed return on how extensive his right knee was injured with multiple torn ligaments That occurred on Oct nearly two months after he got traded to Pittsburgh PURDY S HEALTHIER ENCORE Purdy explained there was a big difference in how his right big toe felt after last Sunday s return compared to the aftermath of his Weeks and games I m extremely excited and my body feels great Purdy stated Friday after his second straight full participation in practice To go back-to-back games and to try to win back-to-back will be huge More than anything it s a crucial time of the year getting toward the end of the season When the ers - host the Panthers - in a Monday night matchup with prospective NFC playoff ramifications Purdy will have almost a complete supporting cast on offense minus Aiyuk but with Pearsall who missed six games before last Sunday s return in a - rout at Arizona Throughout the year there s been someone out and not a lot of consistency Purdy mentioned It feels good we ve all able to practice together play a event together and watch film together That s huge for details in this offense We need consistency going into the end of the year and trying to get into the playoffs All is well or well enough with his right big toe which he initially injured in the season opener then aggravated Sept after two games off I m not percent by any means but I m pretty close and I can do everything it takes to play quarterback at a high level and be myself for sure Purdy commented I can scramble I can make plays on the run step up in the pocket rip the ball aggressively and play my style of ball Lynch in a Friday morning interview on KNBR -AM declared Purdy must go through an on-field acclimation process like any athlete returning from a multiple-game absence There was specific of that Lynch reported but for the the bulk part great contest to get his legs underneath him get his confidence back and get his rhythm really DEFENSIVE UM PRAISE One week the ers defense is allowing six touchdowns at home to the Rams and the next competition an NFL record of completions are produced by journeyman Jacoby Brissett in Arizona For quarters shoot it was - with minutes to go and the last three drives accounted for over yards and two touchdowns defensive coordinator Robert Saleh declared Called the encounter necessary to win the battle We were down linebackers down people Let s keep people in front and get the clock down as fast as viable Carolina coach Dave Canales heaped praise on that ers defense This looks like a Robert Saleh defense It s hinged upon great fundamentals counting on each other and rallying to the ball and that shows up in every area Canales reported They have a good scheme Great things they re doing They have a way to create pressure Um the ers rank last in the NFL with sacks with a team-high four from Bryce Huff then the next-most being two sacks from both Sam Okuayinonu and Nick Bosa the latter of whom exited in Week with a knee injury We can t forget Bryce huff is over there He s electric and has great pass rush tools Canales added But this is a group that s playing well together They haven t produced the numbers maybe but the whole thing is tied together PRACTICE ASSESSMENT No new injuries were broadcasted after practice unlike modern midweek sessions this season Still out were linebacker Tatum Bethune ankle kicker Eddy Pi eiro hamstring and defensive end Robert Beal who is in the NFL s concussion protocol and was seen running on the side Running back Christian McCaffrey and left tackle Trent Williams practiced after their routine rest day