The San Francisco 49ers may be staring at a major late-week question on the offensive line after Trent Williams (hamstring) did not practice Tuesday, December 30, ahead of the team’s Week 18 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
When asked about Williams’ outlook, head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t offer a firm timeline, saying the 49ers are “not sure how long” the hamstring could keep Williams sidelined, but they’re still “giving it a shot for this week.” Shanahan’s comments came during a press conference.
Key details (so far):
- Williams did not practice Tuesday (hamstring).
- Shanahan: the 49ers aren’t sure how long it will take, but will try for this week.
- If Williams can’t go, Austen Pleasants is the next man up at left tackle.
- Week 18 is a short week (light practices / walkthrough emphasis), so the next couple practice designations matter.
Kyle Shanahan’s Trent Williams Injury Update Leaves Real Uncertainty
Williams left Sunday night’s game against the Chicago Bears with the hamstring issue and did not return, putting the spotlight on his availability for the regular-season finale.
That uncertainty is exactly what makes the Tuesday report significant. With the Seahawks up next on Saturday, January 3, 2026, and a shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC on the line, the 49ers don’t have the luxury of a normal week to see how Williams responds day-by-day.
Shanahan also noted that with back-to-back short-week scheduling, the team is cutting down on full-speed work and meeting time to prioritize recovery, which can make early-week participation harder to interpret, but Williams being a true DNP is still the biggest flag in the report.
What It Means for the 49ers Offense vs. Seattle
When Williams plays, the 49ers’ offense doesn’t just gain a star pass protector, it also gains flexibility. The run game, play-action menu, and protection plan all look different when the left side is locked in with one of the league’s best tackles.
If Williams can’t suit up, San Francisco would be asking a backup to handle a high-pressure assignment against a Seattle defense that’s been praised for staying sound, tightening coverage, and mixing in timely blitzes. That’s a tough combination for any replacement tackle to deal with, especially in a game with postseason stakes. Doubly so against a Seahawks defense that is largely considered one of the best units in the NFL.
The immediate chess match becomes simple: can the 49ers keep Brock Purdy clean enough to stay aggressive, or do they need to build the plan around quicker throws, more chip help, and protection changes?
Austen Pleasants Is the Next Option if Williams Can’t Go
The 49ers already got a live test-run when Austen Pleasants replaced Williams in Sunday night’s win. The 49ers still produced a big offensive night after the switch, and Shanahan publicly praised Pleasants for holding his own after being thrown in early.
Pleasants is also not a total unknown to the staff: he’s been getting important practice reps during the season, and the team clearly trusts him enough to be the immediate answer if Williams can’t ramp up in time.
What Happens Next: The Practice Tags That Will Decide This
Because the 49ers opened the week with a DNP for Williams, the next steps are straightforward:
- If he upgrades to limited/full later this week, optimism rises quickly.
- If he stays DNP into the end of the week, it points strongly toward him being questionable at best, and potentially out.
Either way, this is now a pressure-point storyline for San Francisco heading into a Seahawks game that could swing playoff positioning.
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