The San Francisco 49ers have struggled with injuries as much, or more, than just about any team in the NFL this season, and that trend didn’t change on “Sunday Night Football” against the Chicago Bears in Week 17.
Left tackle Trent Williams sustained a hamstring injury on his team’s first play from scrimmage, which happened to be a pick-six off the hand of quarterback Brock Purdy that put the Bears up 7-0. Williams left the game immediately, though not the field.
However, as the first quarter became the second, Williams remained a spectator. Meanwhile, the 49ers offense shredded a suspect Bears defensive unit, scoring four touchdowns en route to a 28-21 lead late in the first half.
There was an update from San Francisco on Williams’ status during the first quarter, though it didn’t bode well for the team — at least not as far as the remainder of the game against Chicago was concerned.
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“49ers left tackle Trent Williams (hamstring) is questionable to return,” ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported via X.
NBC broadcaster Cris Collinsworth speculated that San Francisco would likely opt to hold Williams out of remainder of the game in an effort to get him right for the playoffs, which begin two weeks from now.
The 49ers (11-4) have already qualified as at least a wildcard team, though they have a chance to win the NFC West Division and the conference as whole, the latter of which would guarantee them a bye through Super Wildcard weekend and home-field advantage up until Super Bowl Sunday.
To accomplish that, the 49ers must defeat Chicago (11-4) on Sunday night then best the Seattle Seahawks (13-3) in San Francisco next week.
Even in the absence of Williams, the 49ers offense continued humming against the Bears, particularly in the run game. Both teams were missing important pass-catchers Sunday night, with wide receiver Rome Odunze out for Chicago with a stress fracture in his foot and tight end George Kittle sidelined for San Francisco with an ankle sprain.
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