The upcoming matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints this Sunday is generating buzz, especially with the joint practices initially planned for the days leading up to the game. However, a sudden change in plans has left fans wondering what went wrong.
According to Saints coach Dennis Allen, it was 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan who brought up concerns about their ability to have productive practices just a day before the scheduled joint sessions. Allen shared with reporters, “Kyle reached out to me yesterday, making me aware that they have some things going on in terms of having enough able bodies to have some good practices.”
Shanahan, in a statement reported by Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group, expressed his frustrations about the lack of availability of key players. He mentioned that a whopping 23 players were absent from the team’s recent practice due to various reasons. This shortage of players, including receiver Brandon Aiyuk who is present on the 90-man roster but unable to practice, is causing a headache for Shanahan.
It seems like Aiyuk’s situation might finally come to a head with this latest setback. Perhaps the unexpected turn of events will prompt a resolution to the ongoing issue. The tension between availability and gameplay is palpable, and fans are eager to see how it all unfolds on game day. Stay tuned for more updates as the 49ers and Saints gear up for their preseason showdown.