On a November Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers head into a game against the Dallas Cowboys carrying the familiar weight of a long injury season. Receiver Mike Evans sits out for a third straight week with Achilles tendinitis, and left tackle Trent Williams, a captain whose steadiness the team prizes, remains a question mark after a shoulder injury. Such absences are a quiet test of depth, and of how a team holds its shape when its most trusted names are not on the field.
Mike Evans Out Again, Trent Williams in Doubt as Injury-Hit 49ers Lead NFC at 7-1
Few teams have dealt with injuries as consistently as the 49ers.
Mark
The 49ers are 7-1 and the lead is about injuries. Why?
Mimi
Because the depth is being tested at several spots at once. Evans is out, Williams is in doubt, and two cornerbacks and a linebacker are on the report.
Luke
Worth noting that the 7-1 record is the only firm number here. Everything about who plays Sunday is still a designation, not an outcome.
Mark
Why does Williams matter so much?
Mimi
He's 38, a 12-time Pro Bowler, and a captain. Shanahan said his presence and what he brings on game day are huge. Vederian Lowe would likely step in if he can't go.
Luke
Likely, not certain. And we don't know how serious the shoulder injury is. All we have is that he left practice Thursday, sat out Friday, and Shanahan is hopeful.
Mark
And Evans?
Mimi
Achilles tendinitis, out a third straight game after leaving the Week 6 game against Washington. He's making progress but hasn't practiced since.
Luke
The Mexico game against Minnesota is a chance, in Shanahan's words, not a plan. Nothing confirms a return date.
Mark
Does the receiver room offset any of this?
Mimi
Deebo Samuel returns from a hamstring injury, and Keenan Allen debuts after the trade from Indianapolis.
Luke
Returns and debuts aren't production, though. We'll only know how much they help once they play.
The Pulse
- Left tackle Trent Williams is questionable with a shoulder injury, and his absence would leave a major hole in the line.
- Mike Evans is out for a third straight game with Achilles tendinitis, with no practice yet and only a hopeful return next week in Mexico.
- Several cornerbacks and linebacker Dre Greenlaw are on the injury report, stretching the defense thin.
- Deebo Samuel returns from a hamstring injury and Keenan Allen makes his debut, offering new hands at receiver as the 7-1 team takes the field.
On a November Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers head into a game against the Dallas Cowboys carrying the familiar weight of a long injury season. Receiver Mike Evans sits out for a third straight week with Achilles tendinitis, and left tackle Trent Williams, a captain whose steadiness the team prizes, remains a question mark after a shoulder injury. Such absences are a quiet test of depth, and of how a team holds its shape when its most trusted names are not on the field.
The San Francisco 49ers face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday without wide receiver Mike Evans, who has been ruled out for a third consecutive game with Achilles tendinitis. He has not practiced since leaving an early exit against Washington, though he is making progress and could return next week in Mexico against Minnesota.
The injury report is long this week. Cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green were hurt in the loss to Las Vegas and have been limited in practice, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw is questionable after a knee injury at practice. Several others carry the same designation.
The biggest question is Trent Williams. The 38-year-old 12-time Pro Bowler left practice early Thursday and sat out Friday with a shoulder injury. Coach Kyle Shanahan remains hopeful he will play. If he cannot, Vederian Lowe would likely start, a difficult replacement for a captain Shanahan calls one of the best in the league.
There is some relief elsewhere. Deebo Samuel is back after missing three games, and Keenan Allen arrives in a trade from Indianapolis, ready to debut. The team still holds the NFC's best record at 7-1, and the coming hours will show whether its new and returning receivers can carry the offense while Evans recovers.
The San Francisco 49ers will play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys without wide receiver Mike Evans, who has been ruled out for a third consecutive game because of Achilles tendinitis. He is not the only absence the team is worried about. Left tackle Trent Williams hurt his shoulder in practice this week, and whether he plays remains unsettled.
The injury list has become a familiar feature of San Francisco's season, and of recent seasons before it. Few teams have dealt with so many injuries so consistently, and the weekly report has turned into a storyline of its own. This week it runs deep. Cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green both missed practice Wednesday and Thursday after getting hurt in last week's game against Las Vegas, according to coach Kyle Shanahan. Both were limited participants on Friday.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is listed as questionable after hurting his knee at practice Thursday. Three others carry the same designation: cornerback Nate Hobbs with an adductor injury, defensive back Upton Stout with a shoulder and neck injury, and defensive tackle C.J. West with a knee injury.
Williams is the name that matters most. At 38, he is a 12-time Pro Bowler still playing at a high level, which is why his status carries so much weight. He left practice early Thursday and did not take part Friday. Shanahan said he remained hopeful that Williams would feel well enough to play Sunday. If he cannot, Vederian Lowe would likely start in his place, though replacing Williams would be a major challenge for the team.
Shanahan spoke about what Williams means beyond the position itself. "The left tackle in general is always huge. Then a guy of Trent's caliber is huge," he said, pointing to the way Williams plays down in and down out, his presence, and the kind of person he is. "He's a captain for a reason," Shanahan said, "and everyone knows Trent Williams is one of the best players in this league."
There is help coming at receiver. Deebo Samuel is set to return after missing the previous three games with a hamstring injury. Keenan Allen is set to make his debut for the 49ers after Indianapolis traded him to San Francisco earlier this week.
Evans, though, remains out. He left a Week 6 game against Washington early with the Achilles problem, then missed the next two games. He has not been able to practice since, though he is making progress. Shanahan said there is a chance Evans could play next week in Mexico against Minnesota.
San Francisco takes the field Sunday with the best record in the NFC at 7-1. The questions to watch are whether Williams is cleared, and whether the new and returning receivers can cover for Evans until he is back.
Notable Quotes
He's a captain for a reason, and everyone knows Trent Williams is one of the best players in this league.— Kyle Shanahan, 49ers coach
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