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Alex Smith is set to make his first start since suffering a gruesome and life-threatening leg injury on November 18, 2018. The story of the Washington quarterback, who started his career with the San Francisco 49ers, has been an inspiration. Many fans across the NFL landscape will be pulling for Smith on Sunday when the Washington Football Team faces the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
One of those fans is 49ers left tackle
Trent Williams, who played with Smith in 2018. He joined KNBR on Thursday night and was asked about his former teammate.
"It's a Cinderella story, for lack of a better word," Williams told Mark Willard. "I was actually one of those guys who seen Alex in the hospital after he had been through, I think it was 12 surgeries in 13 days or 11 surgeries in 12 days. I honestly laid eyes on where he was when he was close to death.
"To see him where he is now, it's so gratifying. He's blessed, and we're all blessed to be able to even witness his story because a lot of people who made as much money as he had and has been as successful as he has, they would have had every good reason to just turn it in, and look for another something to fill in for football.
"So the fact that he had enough grit, had enough determination, had enough drive and fight to get through that — not only the injury but the life-threatening things that came behind just the broken leg, it's remarkable. I don't think we can say enough about him."
Smith has appeared in two games this season, completing 67.3 percent of his passes for a touchdown and three interceptions. The fact that he is even out on the football field again is inspirational. No one would have blamed him had he chosen to leave the NFL behind after suffering a major injury. However, he worked hard and fought his way back.
As a friend, Williams worried about Smith. When fans first heard that the quarterback was determined to return to the game, the first thought that popped into their heads was the fear that Smith might suffer another injury. Williams admits he feared that as well.
The heart and mind of the fan, however, said other things.
"Me as a fan of him, I'm definitely glad and happy to see he choose to fight through it," Williams said. "And now, seeing where he is now as the starting quarterback for that team, I think that's going to be an inspiration for a lot of people. A lot of people, not even football fans.
"That should just be an inspiration for mankind to understand that just because the odds may be stacked against you don't mean that you don't fight, that you don't go out and try to achieve what you believe to be worth it. And I think him showing everybody that he can come back from that was probably more important than anything."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Williams below.
Trent Williams will be 36 at the start of the 2024 NFL season. While retirement isn't on his mind just yet, the San Francisco 49ers must consider a succession plan for left tackle.
NFL Media's Bucky Brooks unveiled his final mock draft, projecting the San Francisco 49ers to select former Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan with the No. 31 overall pick as their eventual replacement for Williams.
"With Trent Williams entering the twilight of his career, the 49ers have to find an eventual replacement on the edge," Brooks noted. "Morgan is a sound blocker at the point of attack with diverse skills
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel will be wearing No. 1 the next time he steps onto the football field, leaving behind his No. 19 jersey. It's an unfortunate change for any fan who previously invested in a Deebo jersey—unless they consider it a throwback.
Newly signed wide receiver Trent Taylor quickly claimed No. 19 after rejoining the team on a one-year deal following three seasons elsewhere. Taylor last wore No. 15 with the 49ers, a number currently worn by wide receiver Jauan Jennings. Taylor also wore No. 81 with the team.
The 49ers' official team site has listed the jersey numbers for several of the team's free-agent newcomers (and Maliek Collins, acquired via a
NFL Communications has officially announced the "NFL legends and active players" who will announce selections during Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Representing the San Francisco 49ers will be former defensive tackle Anthony "Spice" Adams, who spent four seasons with the team and nine in the NFL.
San Francisco selected Adams out of Penn State in the second round (No. 57 overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft.
The NFL's full announcement is below.
In the NFL's continuous effort to connect the game's greats with the next generation of stars, NFL Legends and active players will add to the excitement of the 2024 NFL Draft by announcing various selections and participating in festivities in Detroit.
Pro Football Hall of Famers Isaac
