The San Francisco 49ers will again be without wide receiver Mike Evans on Sunday, ruling him out for a third consecutive game against the Dallas Cowboys as he continues to recover from Achilles tendinitis.
The bigger question mark hovers over left tackle Trent Williams, who injured his shoulder in practice this week and is listed as questionable. The 38-year-old Williams, a 12-time Pro Bowler, left Thursday’s practice early and did not participate Friday.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said he remains hopeful Williams will be able to play, underscoring how much the veteran means to the team.
“The left tackle in general is always huge. Then a guy of Trent’s caliber is huge,” Shanahan said. “Just the way he plays out there, down in and down out, what he means to the team, just his presence, the type of person he is, and just what he brings on game day. He’s a captain for a reason, and everyone knows Trent Williams is one of the best players in this league.”
If Williams can’t go, Vederian Lowe would likely start at left tackle in his place, though Shanahan has made clear that replacing a player of Williams’s caliber is no simple task.
Williams isn’t the only name on an injury report that has become a near-weekly fixture for the 49ers this season. Cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green, both hurt in last week’s game against Las Vegas, missed practice Wednesday and Thursday before returning as limited participants Friday. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is questionable after injuring his knee at Thursday’s practice, and cornerback Nate Hobbs (adductor), defensive back Upton Stout (shoulder, neck) and defensive tackle C.J. West (knee) are also questionable.
There is better news elsewhere on offense. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel is expected to return after missing three straight games with a hamstring injury, and Keenan Allen is set to make his 49ers debut following his trade from Indianapolis earlier this week.
Evans, meanwhile, has not practiced since leaving a Week 6 game against Washington early with the Achilles injury, though Shanahan said there is a chance he could return next week when the 49ers play Minnesota in Mexico City.
San Francisco enters Sunday’s game against Dallas with the best record in the NFC at 7-1.
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