Would he be back in the lineup for certain had he not played on?
There’s no way to know. Perhaps, Williams remarked. But who knows? Ankle sprains can cause inflammation and other related symptoms. Though at the time I had to do what I had to do, I’m pretty sure it did.
Williams, 35, missed three games with a high ankle sprain on the same leg last season and also was injured in 2021 against the Rams. There is some residual damage because of both the injuries and the wear-and-tear of playing in the NFL as well as college and high school.
“I’ve played 14 years (in the NFL), and football the last 20 years of my life,” Williams said. “That’s my right leg. It’s near where everything is falling. I sprained that one plenty of times. You know how it is.”
The 49ers must also consider if playing Williams would be wise considering there’s a cross-country flight home, a home game against Tampa Bay and then a Thanksgiving road assignment in Seattle coming up.
General manager John Lynch, on his weekly appearance on KNBR, conceded the original diagnosis appeared to be a more moderate sprain.
“Trent has experienced some ankle injuries when playing for as long as he has. Because there is a lot of chronic, old stuff in there, I believe the MRIs can be more difficult to read,” Lynch remarked. I don’t want to get into specifics when you’re reading the MRIs, but I believe it was probably a little more severe than we may have anticipated. It required some time.
Williams said he is unconcerned about the ankle getting worse on the flight given “devices you can use on the plane for inflammation and compression.”
If Williams doesn’t play, Moore would get a third straight start, and this time it would be alongside Jon Feliciano at left guard with Banks out of the lineup.
“I think Jaylon has played his butt off,” Williams said. “I’ve been really, really impressed with the way he’s performed and the progress he’s made from last year to this year, even the preseason to now. I have a lot of faith in him if he has to do it again.”
Josh Allen, a right outside linebacker for Jacksonville, has nine sacks and rushes mostly over the offensive left side. The Jaguars have a potent pass rush. With five sacks, Allen is tied for fifth place with Chargers’ Khalil Mack and only behind Danielle Hunter of Minnesota (ten), T.J. Watt of Pittsburgh, Garrett, and Raiders’ Maxx Crosby, who all have nine and a half.
“Another one of those freakazoid type guys, 6-6, can run like the wind, a big strong guy, powerful guy,” Williams said. “An elite pass rusher and one of the reasons this defense is playing really well. Another tough out even when you’re healthy. It’s going to be a long day regardless.”
Asked at the end of the interview if he expected to play against Jacksonville, Williams said, “It’s up in the air. It really is.”
Feliciano steps in
A nine-year veteran of 105 games and 54 starts who has played for the Raiders, Bills and Giants, Feliciano will step in as the starter for at least one game and perhaps more. depending on how Banks’ turf toe progresses.
Last year with the Giants, Feliciano, signed for depth at all three interior line positions, started and played 77 snaps at center against Jacksonville in a 23-17 win.
“I played Jacksonville last year,” Feliciano said. “They have mostly the same guys up front, so I’m familiar with them. It’s the same-old, same-old for me. I’ll be ready.”
Feliciano, subbing for Banks in the 49ers’ big win against Dallas, fared well in 42 snaps. It sounds as if the plan for the 49ers was to begin getting Feliciano some snaps on the right side in place of Spencer Burford, who split time with Daniel Brunskill last season.
“We were going to start playing him a little bit to get him in there regardless because of how consistent he’s been, and now this happened with Banks and he’s got this opportunity,” Shanahan said. “We’ve been real happy with Jon.”
NOTES
— Shanahan is eager to see defensive end Chase Young in his 49ers debut after arriving by trade from Washington. The limited amount of practice, given his position, shouldn’t matter much.
“It’s not a big deal with D-linemen in terms of learning a ton of things,” Shanahan said. “He looked healthy and definitely one of our top eight.”
— Shanahan hopes the days off to rest up and ponder the three-game losing streak will pay dividends.
Shanahan remarked, “I think everyone was kind of bouncing off the walls Monday.” “It felt great to return here. It seems sense to me that after spending time away from everyone you spend your entire day with, resting, and getting a break, it’s enjoyable to return and see them all.
— Cornerback Darrell Luter, cornerback Samuel Womack, and defensive end Robert Beals were all listed as questionable. None of these players are currently injured or on the 53-man roster. Following their recovery from injuries, all of them had their practice windows open this week. Another questionable player was linebacker Demetrius Flanigan-Fowles (ankle).
