After missing Wednesday's and Thursday's sessions, San Francisco 49ers tackle Trent Williams wasn't on the practice field today. The Pro Bowl offensive lineman is dealing with an elbow injury and an ankle sprain.
#49ers LT Trent Williams (elbow, ankle) again not on field at start of practice. Appears to be trending toward rookie Jaylon Moore starting on Sunday night. Kyle Shanahan set to speak to media a bit later.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 22, 2021
"He did that in the Arizona game," head coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday of the ankle injury, "and he was working on it the week away [during the bye], and he dinged it a little bit on Monday. He got to come out to practice on Monday and do stuff, but he dinged it, and that's why he wasn't able to go [on Wednesday], wasn't able to go [on Thursday]."
Shanahan was hoping to see Williams on the practice field today. If the left tackle cannot play on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, rookie Jaylon Moore could get his first NFL start. This morning, general manager John Lynch said Tom Compton was an option too.
"I think it truly is a questionable thing," Lynch said of Williams' potential status. "I think it speaks to Trent's toughness that he never missed a snap against Arizona. He played throughout that game and came out with both a tweak to his elbow and to his ankle. And it persisted throughout the bye week. The bye week helped him, but he's not there yet.
"Trent is a tremendously tough individual, aside from being as skilled as he is. And so, he wants, in the worst way, to play on Sunday, and we still have some time. He's not there yet, though. ... He's still working through it. So I think it truly is a questionable situation."
Quarterback Trey Lance also missed his third consecutive practice (fourth, if you count Monday's bonus practice), which means Nate Sudfeld will likely serve as Jimmy Garoppolo's backup against the Colts.
#49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo again taking part in early portion of practice. Looks like he will return to starting lineup against Colts, as expected.
And again no sign of QB Trey Lance, which means Nate Sudfeld poised to be elevated to be Garoppolo's backup.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 22, 2021
Others who were not seen for the portion of practice open to reporters are defensive linemen Maurice Hurst and Javon Kinlaw. Hurst was seen using crutches today to leave the 49ers facility and had his foot in an orthopedic boot, indicating that he will be out for a while.
The 49ers will release their official Week 7 game statuses shortly. That's when we will learn who has been ruled "out," "doubtful," or "questionable" for Sunday night.