The Brandon Aiyuk contact saga took an ugly turn on Wednesday, one that could significantly hurt the All-Pro wide receiver's pockets.

Both San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch made it clear in press conferences after roster cutdown day that they expected Aiyuk to practice despite the two sides failing to come an agreement on a long-term extension.

Aiyuk did not meet those expectations. The 2020 first-round pick did not practice on Wednesday and was not seen during their Thursday session as the 49ers step up preparations for the season opener against the New York Jets a week from Monday.

If Aiyuk continues to skip practice, the fines he is subject to will soon add up to substantial amounts.

As a player on an exercised 5th-year option, #49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk is subject to $40,000 per day fines for unexcused absence from practice.

If his hold-in/out carries into the regular season, Aiyuk will forfeit $784,666 per week missed.

— Spotrac (@spotrac) August 29, 2024

As Aiyuk is scheduled to play on his fifth-year option, which will pay him a base salary of $14.1 million, he is subject to fines of $40,000 per day for unexecuted absences from practice.

Should his 'hold-in' continue into the regular season, Aiyuk will lose out on $784,666 per week missed, per Spotrac.

Asked on Wednesday if Aiyuk could face potential discipline if he refuses to practice, Shanahan replied: "I’ll deal with that when that happens, if that happens."

That has now happened twice. Though the 49ers have not committed to sanctioning Aiyuk for his refusal to join his teammates in practice, the cost of him doing so could soon become punitive for San Francisco's top receiver.

San Francisco 49ers must find a way to capitalize on rival team’s mistake after final roster cuts

It would be a very wise move.