It’s win or go home scenarios for the San Francisco 49ers as they head into their Wild Card Round Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Nonetheless, on Jan. 7, the Niners gave an injury update on Trent Williams, which continues to cast doubt on whether he’ll be ready to go on Jan. 11.
Williams suffered a hamstring injury in Week 17 in the win over the Chicago Bears. He would miss the Week 18 loss against the Seattle Seahawks, and now 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that he didn’t practice on Jan. 7 as the 49ers prepare for Philadelphia.
Moreover, Shanhan provided more details regarding Williams’ hamstring injury.
“He’s still hurt,” Shanahan told reporters on Jan. 7 (h/t 95.7 The Game). “Hopefully, he’ll be better [on Jan. 8] and can get some practice in, but I’m not sure where he’ll be at.”
49ers Need Bounce Back Game From QB Brock Purdy
Whether Williams plays or not remains to be seen. Nonetheless, if San Francisco want to come away with the road playoff game, they’ll need a bounce-back performance from quarterback Brock Purdy.
Purdy went 19-for-27 on his pass attempts while recording 127 passing yards, one interception, and having a 64.9 passer rating. Additionally, he was sacked three times by the Seahawks’ defense.
Despite the challenging performance in Week 18, the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, understands that Purdy can harm his unit and isn’t taking the QB lightly.
“He’s a scrambler,” Fangio said while speaking to reporters on Jan. 6. “When he’s scrambling, he’s looking down the field. His eyes go down the field. He’s wanting to throw out of the scramble before he decides to run it. He’s very good at it. They have a lot of maximum play-action type protections, where he’s going to have some time anyway. Then, if he doesn’t like what he sees, can buy even more time. And I think that’s why his average is up there so high, as far as holding the ball.”
Niners Get Worst Matchup in Wild Card Round
Furthermore, the reason the 49ers need a big game from Purdy is that they drew the worst-case scenario in facing the Eagles in the opening round of the playoffs, according to NFL analyst Brian Baldinger.
“It’s the worst matchup,” Baldinger said during a Jan. 6 appearance on 95.7 The Game. “The whole offensive line rested, the receivers rested, the quarterback, the running back. You’re going to get very rested [Eagles team]. Jalen Carter is rested. He told me he’s healthy. His shoulder has been bothering him all year. He had some procedures done. Jaelan Phillips rested. They’re going to be Cooper DeJean [and] Quinyon Mitchell. Everybody took the week off to get ready for this game. You’re going to see the Eagles fully rested.
“I would think that Trent will be back, and Pearsall will be back, which will help. They don’t have Seattle scheme, which is good. But it’ll be interesting to see. The Eagles offense has not been good all year. They take long naps during games. I don’t care what game it is—long stretches where they’re three and out. They haven’t been good. Maybe with the rest, maybe they’ll be better.”
49ers Give Big Trent Williams Injury Update Before Eagles Game