The article The 49ers ‘intend’ to play Williams early in the regular-season finale against the Rams first appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area.
It appears that one of the 49ers’ best players will play in Sunday’s Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium.
On Friday morning, general manager John Lynch appeared on KNBR 680’s “Murph & Markus” and revealed that All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams will most likely play in the regular-season finale, despite the 49ers resting a slew of starters after already clinching the NFC’s top seed.
“I think we intend on playing Trent early in this game and seeing where that goes and Trent’s all for it,” Lynch said in a statement. “Trent’s done tremendous, he’s in really good health, and he understands and trusts in Kyle [Shanahan] and our coaching staff that we’re going to put him and the rest of his teammates in the best possible position.”
Williams has already missed two games this season due to a high ankle sprain, and he suffered a minor groin injury in the 49ers’ Week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Now healthy, the 35-year-old is continuing to play at a high level while having fun, especially after a convincing win over his former Washington Commanders teammates.
“Trent’s in good health right now,” said Lynch. “It’s so much fun to watch him in Washington.” When it comes to your former team, I believe you always have a little something extra. I just love watching that guy play with such joy, especially when Arizona pulls off the win while we’re in the locker room watching. He’s just having a good time playing football, which is great to see because sometimes when guys are around, they don’t connect with their teammates, and he’s just like one of the guys.
“He’s a special player, and I don’t like to talk about the Hall of Fame because it’s not something you can predict, but I do know we should all sit back and appreciate this guy because he’s going there.” He’ll be in Canton because he’s that type of player. But to see him, his level of play at this stage of his career, and the excitement with which he plays, that’s a big deal for someone as talented as Trent. Keeping your skills and staying in shape is important, but so is maintaining your passion for the game, which he clearly has.”
While the 49ers would prefer to rest as many starters as possible on Sunday, they must have 48 players on the field, which will include a few stars who will dress but not play.
Williams, on the other hand, appears to be limited to a few snaps early on before sitting out the rest of the game.
Why Lynch is adamant that Aiyuk ‘earned’ a Pro Bowl berth.
Why Lynch is adamant that Aiyuk ‘earned’ a Pro Bowl berth originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The 49ers had an NFL-high nine players named to the Pro Bowl, but general manager John Lynch believes one more should be included.
Brandon Aiyuk, a wide receiver, had 72 catches on 101 targets for 1,317 yards and seven touchdowns but was only named as an alternate. Although his 18.3 yards per reception lead the league, his total yards through 15 games place him sixth in the NFL.
Lynch believes the wideout should have received the award and explained why on KNBR 680’s “Murph & Markus” on Friday.
“I believe that he’s earned it.” Lynch stated. “What he’s done in terms of yards per catch. We were deep into the season when someone told me that all but two of his catches had gone for first downs. He leads the league in yards per reception, but I believe his commitment to run-blocking is what puts him over the top.”
On the field, Aiyuk’s physicality has been on full display. Not only is the Arizona State product unafraid to catch a ball across the middle, but he has also made numerous run-game blocks to open up lanes for his teammates.
“To do all of the things he’s doing in the pass game, the explosiveness, seven games with over 100 yards,” Lynch went on to say. “And then to couple that with the commitment he made to be the best run-blocking receiver in the league.”
Lynch did not dismiss the four other NFC receivers who received Pro-Bowl honors — CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys, A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles, Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams — but simply emphasized Aiyuk’s enormous contributions to the team’s success.
“Kyle talks about how it dictates the tempo and attitude of the team, as much as Trent Williams coming off the ball,” he said. “It is contagious when your receivers buy into that.” BA sold out, and man, this guy is a Pro Bowler in my eyes, an All-Pro in my eyes, and I’m so proud of him and sick for him that he didn’t make it.”
Aiyuk did receive the most fan votes of any NFC wide receiver, but that is not the only criterion that must be met to receive the award. Players and coaches both vote, and the total number of votes cast determines the final Pro Bowl roster.
“I will say our fans were unbelievable,” Lynch added. “It wasn’t for a lack of effort; the way they came out to support our players was incredible.” I’m always amazed by the Faithful. I felt bad for BA, but I knew that. From personal experience, this is not always the case. You should have done it one year and then the next, and BA has that in him.”
Some key 49ers players will not play in the Rams’ meaningless Week 18 game. Trent Williams, a veteran left tackle, will.
Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed to reporters on Friday that Williams will play.
“I don’t think it’s good for anybody to take two weeks off,” Shanahan stated earlier this week. “You should see how Trent was when he returned after a month or three weeks off.” It’s not ideal, but we’ll see how the game progresses. This week, his mindset has to be that he’s getting ready to play.”
Williams may not see much action. The goal is to keep the players in a routine, which is especially important for teams that have a bye week.
Going three weeks without playing can result in the player not being as prepared as they need to be when it comes time to hold serve in the divisional round. The teams that earn the conference’s lone bye are always playing a team that played and won in the wild-card round — and that enters the divisional round with nothing to lose.
That can be a real issue for a team that could see its special season end in three hours against a team that caught it off guard.
Still, the 49ers are taking a calculated risk. If Williams is injured in a meaningless game and is unable to play in the divisional round, the 49ers will find it more difficult to win when they host the wild-card winner in 15 or 16 days.
Purdy defines the challenge as a ‘competitor’ sitting vs. Rams.
Purdy’s explanation of the challenge as a ‘competitor’ sitting vs. Rams first aired on NBC Sports Bay Area.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Week 18 has already proven to be a significant test for 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, but not in the usual way.
Purdy will miss the 49ers’ Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium for the first time since becoming the team’s starting quarterback.
While the Iowa State product is mentally preparing for the game as if he will play, the reality has been quite different.
“For me, this is all I know,” Purdy explained on Thursday. “To get ready for the next game and prepare.” Especially when we were practicing and I saw my teammates doing it. Everyone is dressed, ready to go, and getting ready for the Rams.”
Coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with his young quarterback early in the week, informing him that Sam Darnold would start on Sunday. There is no need to risk injury at the most important position in the game now that the 49ers have secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Purdy will play on Sunday, but as the team’s third (emergency) quarterback, owing to his own injury in the 2022 NFC Championship game and the subsequent injury of his backup, Josh Johnson.
“I’m practicing but obviously not getting to go for the game,” Purdy told reporters. “A little strange in that regard.” But that is a part of it, and we are obviously doing what is best for the team and the organization. That is something I must remember and keep in mind.”
Purdy stated that he will wear the headset during the game to hear Shanahan’s play calls and go through his own process and reaction on the field as if he were in command.
The newly named Pro Bowler will also assist Darnold in any way he can, just as the backup has done all season for the starter. Purdy would prefer to be on the field with his teammates, fighting for a victory, but he understands his coach’s reasoning.
The quarterback has performed admirably following an extended break before a game. Purdy missed the entire preseason but played well in San Francisco’s Week 1 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and helped lead his team to a six-game win streak after the bye.
“I think I’ve done it this year in terms of having some rest and then coming in here and playing,” Purdy said in an interview. “So that’s something I should go back and remind myself of.” Not only that, but I’ll be practicing against a really good defense in our team for the next few weeks. It’s not like I’ll be sitting on the couch doing nothing for the next few weeks.”
Still, knowing he won’t play on Sunday has been difficult for Purdy.
“The competitor within me,” Purdy explained. “Obviously, I want to play and compete all the time, but that’s the case and the situation that we are in.”
How to watch Rams-49ers games, start times, and predictions
Analyzing how the Los Angeles Rams (9-7) and San Francisco 49ers (12-4) match up ahead of their game on Sunday. Fox will broadcast the game:
When the Rams have possession of the ball
Coach Sean McVay wants to rest key players for the playoffs, so Pro Bowl quarterback Matthew Stafford, receiver Cooper Kupp, and Pro Bowl running back Kyril Williams will not play. Stafford will be replaced by veteran Carson Wentz. This is Wentz’s first start since the 2022 season with the Washington Commanders. McVay will almost certainly have Wentz target Pro Bowl wideout Puka Nacua early in the game. Nacua needs four catches and 29 yards to set an NFL rookie record. Once those goals are met, he will almost certainly be removed from the game to avoid injury. Wentz is also interested in Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell. Williams will be replaced by Royce Freeman and Ronnie Rivers on a rotating basis. Freeman possesses
As the top-seeded 49ers prepare for the playoffs, quarterback Brock Purdy and star running back Christian McCaffrey will not play. Purdy will be replaced by former USC quarterback Sam Darnold. Darnold, the New York Jets’ third-round pick in 2018, has completed 12 of 20 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown with an interception this season. Coach Kyle Shanahan may rest other star players like Deebo Samuel (12 touchdowns), receiver Brandon Aiyuk, and tight end George Kittle. Running back Elijah Mitchell rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries last Sunday in a 27-10 victory over the Washington Commanders. Aaron Donald, a 10-time Pro Bowler, will be held out by Rams coach Sean McVay.
Brett Maher, the Rams’ kicker, has returned. The veteran joined the team at the start of the season but was released after seven games. After missing two extra-point attempts against the Giants, rookie Lucas Havrisik was released last week. As a result, the Rams have turned to Maher, who has converted 17 of 23 field-goal attempts.
According to the statistics
Gary Klein’s forecast
The 49ers have nothing to lose, and the Rams don’t seem to mind holding the No. 6 seed in the NFC. Darnold defeated the Rams with the Jets, so he can do it again. RAMS 24, 49ERS 21
