The 49ers sweat on Williams and Samuel ahead of Rams clash
With two of their most crucial players in a race to recover in time for their date with NFC destiny, the 49ers are simply going to have to wait and see.
Having pulled off a massive win against the favored Green Bay Packers, San Francisco was then faced with the cost of victory, injury to two of their key players.
The 49ers sweat on Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel
According to statements made by San Francisco's head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday, left tackle Trent Williams and receiver Deebo Samuel are progressing but still in doubt ahead of Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams. Williams who is currently recovering from an injury to his right ankle, will be monitored throughout the week meaning his availability is still in doubt. Where Samuel is concerned, the prognosis is somewhat more positive. Though described by Shanahan as being sore, he is expected to train this week. Samuel took a frightening helmet to the knee during a run that eventually set up the game winning field goal for San Francisco in their last game.
Williams will be of more concern having suffered a right ankle sprain midway through San Francisco's 13-10 win against the Packers. While he was not forced off the field, he could be seen on crutches after the game's conclusion. Indeed, Williams actually received X-rays at Lambeau Field which discovered no fractures, however, what were referred to as lingering issues were found which subsequently made it harder to arrive at a clear understanding of the gravity of his injury.only further cements the notion that he may well have to sit out for longer than the 49ers would like. "You have got to see how the week goes and whether it heals," Shanahan said."If it was a high [sprain], then I'd rule him out. But there are more components to it. ...So, you have just got to wait and before you declare what it is, you've got to see how it heals and reacts throughout the week. So, that's about all I can say and that's what we'll be waiting on to find out."
The 49ers, injuries and the plan for the Rams
Shanahan was clear on the idea that Williams status has not yet been agreed upon. Speaking on his player's availability the coach stated that Williams' progress will be observed during the week before the franchise can make a final decision on whether or not he will face the Rams. Incidentally, Williams did not play when the 49ers last met the Rams due to an injured Elbow. It should be noted that San Francisco's injury concerns don't end there either. Runningback Jeff Wilson Jr. also suffered a low ankle sprain in last Saturday's game and has since been listed as questionable. Then there is cornerback Ambry Thomas who was listed as inactive for the Packers game having bruised a bone in his knee, however, Shanahan was confident that he would be in training this week.
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"We were hoping he was going to be close [to playing] but by the time he got there we could tell there was no point in working him out," Shanahan said. "So, it ended up not being as close as we hoped for. We know he's doing better today compared to how he was on Sunday. So, I think he has a much better chance of playing this week. Hopefully he's ready for practice on Wednesday."