The San Francisco 49ers are once again battling injuries as they enter the critical final stretch of the 2024 season. With slim playoff hopes hanging by a thread, the team must win out and rely on favorable outcomes across the league.
That task became more daunting following head coach Kyle Shanahan’s injury updates ahead of Wednesday’s practice in preparation for a Week 16 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
Running back Isaac Guerendo, already dealing with a foot sprain, will not practice this week after sustaining a hamstring injury in the loss to the Rams. Guerendo stepped into the starting role after season-ending injuries to Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason.
In his brief tenure as the starter, the rookie has carried the ball 31 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns, adding six receptions for 68 yards. Shanahan did not confirm Guerendo’s availability for Sunday but offered a less optimistic update on left tackle Trent Williams’ potential return.
Is Trent Williams’ Season Over?
“If he could get back to healthy, we’d play him, but it’s not like that right now,” Shanahan said when asked about the likelihood of Williams returning this season. “So it’s getting closer to being that way.”
Williams is still recovering from an ankle and heel injury sustained in the team’s Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on November 17. Since Williams’ absence, the 49ers have allowed 39 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, and their playoff odds have plummeted to below one percent. Without Williams, the team holds a 1-3 record this season.
Should the 49ers’ playoff aspirations officially end this week, it’s expected they will shut Williams down for the remainder of the season. The 36-year-old left tackle reworked his contract during the offseason, and the team is keen to ensure he remains healthy moving forward.
Backup tackle Jaylon Moore, who is dealing with a hip injury and is listed as limited in practice, has been filling in for Williams. Over the last four games, Moore has performed admirably, not allowing a sack and conceding just seven pressures. He currently boasts a pass block efficiency rating of 94.8 and an average PFF grade of 76.6.
If Moore is unable to play, the 49ers may turn to either Sebastian Gutierrez or Austen Pleasants. Pleasants, signed to the practice squad on Tuesday, has experience at both guard and tackle but has yet to play this season. Gutierrez, who has appeared in just one game since entering the league in 2022, would also be making his first NFL start.
Complete Injury Report
While the news about Williams is concerning, there were positive developments as several key players are progressing in their recovery.
Edge rusher Nick Bosa (hip, oblique), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles, knee), and backup offensive lineman Nick Zakelj are all listed as limited in practice, signaling optimism for their availability on Sunday.
Additionally, rookie safety Malik Mustapha, a fourth-round pick, appears to be fully recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him out last week, as he is no longer listed on the injury report.
