Niners Nation
Trent Williams questionable for 49ers vs. Seahawks clash with hamstring injury
“The other players the 49ers listed as questionable appear to be well on their way toward playing on Saturday.
Tight end George Kittle returned to practice this week after sitting out one game with an ankle injury. Nickel back Upton Stout was back on the practice field as he advances through the NFL’s concussion protocol. Also, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is expected to play despite being listed as questionable.“
George Kittle expects to play in 49ers-Seahawks finale; Trent Williams faces ‘tall task’ (paywall)
“Shanahan and his medical staff face the unenviable task of determining whether Williams should play or sit less than a week after he pulled his hamstring, which apparently was a first for the 37-year-old. The 49ers have already clinched a playoff berth. But considering one more win would also earn them a bye through the wild-card round next week, Shanahan likened Saturday night to a playoff game.
“It needs to be possible based off the doctors,” Shanahan said, “and then it’s got to be more on what Trent tells me. I definitely don’t want to lose any players for the following week knowing we’re in the playoffs. But I also look at when you’re playing to play one less playoff game, then you can look at that as a playoff game. I know the season’s not over if we lose, but you still got to go play a game the next week on the road if you lose, and we can completely avoid that by winning.”
Brock Purdy’s ‘Dougie’ reflects how 49ers QB has fully embraced the cocky guy inside (paywall)
“Kubiak said Purdy has achieved a “mastery” of Shanahan’s intricate offense, which has played a role in Purdy’s evolution. After spending his first three years earning his PhD in Xs and Os, Purdy had more room to think deeply about how to effectively lead his teammates.
Purdy’s position coach for his first three seasons, Brian Griese, a former NFL QB, regretted how he often studied his playbook at the team facility in the early stages of his 11-year career and sacrificed time to bond with teammates. Purdy spoke Wednesday about how being a “bro” in the locker room was a “meaningful thing to a lot of guys.”
“I’ve been a pretty serious kind of guy, doing my job and everything,” Purdy said. “But now I’m in year four, so I feel like guys really do feed off of an authentic leader and authentic quarterback, a guy in the locker room and someone that’s real. So (I’m) obviously trying to do my job really well at a high level and then from that you can have some fun with it and be yourself.”
49ers mailbag: Should San Francisco fear the Eagles — and can a playoff run happen? (paywall) “Skyy Moore and Mac Jones. Moore is friendly, always available and was ultra positive from the moment he arrived via trade. You can see why coach...
