The San Francisco 49ers listed five players as questionable ahead of Saturday night's regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Among them are two All-Pros: tight end George Kittle and left tackle Trent Williams.
When asked this week whether he expects to play in the Week 18 showdown, Kittle left little room for doubt.
"Absolutely," Kittle said.
Still, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport cautioned that Kittle's status ultimately rests with the coaching staff, which must balance his health against postseason availability. Kittle has been a limited participant in practice throughout the week.
Although general manager John Lynch expressed confidence this week, saying he would be "very surprised if George wasn't out there."
Williams' outlook appears far less certain.
"Trent Williams, their Pro Bowl left tackle—one of the best left tackles of, well, not just this year, but really the last decade—he is officially listed as questionable," Rapoport said, "but he hasn't practiced at all this week, dealing with a hamstring injury.
"Hard to imagine he is out there with no practice on a short week. I guess crazier things have happened, but to me, I'm not expecting the big man to be out there."
The stakes are high in the Week 18 NFC West clash. The winner secures the division title and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. A 49ers loss, however, could drop San Francisco into the fifth or sixth seed entering the postseason.
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