49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan on Thursday still didn’t have an update on the high ankle sprain left tackle Trent Williams suffered in Sunday night’s loss in Denver.
Shanahan said he’s hopeful Williams can avoid surgery and that the team can avoid placing him on Injured Reserve.
If Williams goes on IR he’ll be required to miss four weeks, which is typically the minimum time frame for return on that type of injury. However, the club can only designate eight players per season to return from IR.
Given that it’s Week 3 and San Francisco already anticipates bringing RB Elijah Mitchell, FS Jimmie Ward, DL Jordan Willis and LB Curtis Robinson off IR, they’re halfway through their allotted returnees off IR. That’s why TE Tyler Kroft and RB Tyrion Davis-Price have both stayed off IR despite their injuries keeping them out for prolonged periods.
While the 49ers may hope to keep Williams off IR, they might not have a choice if the ankle keeps him out for more than a few weeks. Moving him to IR would open up a roster spot San Francisco could use to either replace him or add depth at another position. Jason Poe, Leroy Watson, Keith Ismael and Alfredo Gutierrez are the four in-house options on the offensive line on the practice squad.
Shanahan will speak with media again Saturday ahead of Monday’s game.