The 49ers were able to beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18 without Trent Williams, but they’d rather have big No. 71 at left tackle on Sunday in the NFC Championship.
The All-Pro exited Lambeau Field on crutches Saturday with a right ankle sprain and didn’t practice Wednesday, in the first team session of the week. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was yet to see Williams as of early Wednesday afternoon when he addressed the media, but said the tackle is staying optimistic.
“In Trent’s mind, there's no way he is not playing,” Shanahan said. “Now that's why he was so crushed last game because he believed he would and his body wouldn't let him. So hopefully we'll have some better luck this game. But I know he believes he's playing and so do I, so we'll see how that pans out as the week goes. If he can, he will.”
Williams sat out Week 18 with an elbow injury and second-year sub Colton McKivitz played all 70 snaps in the thrilling 27-24 overtime victory. Not an easy assignment against the Rams’ defensive front that features Aaron Donald, Von Miller and Leonard Floyd.
“Colton stepped it up huge and we wouldn’t be here right now if he didn't play the way he did in that game,” Shanahan said.
There’s a reason why Pro Football Focus rated his 2021 regular season as the highest ever by any player at any position. Williams may have been hobbled postgame but showed his rare blend of size, speed and strength last week against the Packers.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s thumb injury was also fresh the last time these two teams met in Week 18. He tweaked his shoulder against the Dallas Cowboys but made it through last week’s thriller against the Green Bay Packers in good shape.
Jimmy G didn’t take any questions about his ailments Wednesday, but Shanahan told reporters, “I hear about the thumb more than the shoulder. That's off the injury report now, so I guess we're good.”
Cornerback Ambry Thomas was a game-time scratch with a knee injury last week, but he returned to practice in a limited fashion Wednesday. Matt Barrows of The Athletic shared video from Santa Clara:
The rookie Thomas has developed into a key contributor for the 49ers secondary and sealed the Week 18 win with an overtime interception.
