The 49ers are inching closer to shutting down Trent Williams for the remainder of the year in what's been an injury-plagued 2024.
When San Francisco 49ers fans look back at the 2024 season, two topics are likely going to come to mind: injuries and linebacker De'Vondre Campbell.
Campbell's actions and subsequent suspension have been discussed enough at this point, and the players and coaches have moved on.
But injuries loom and continue to impact head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad.
In advance of the Niners' Week 16 road game against the Miami Dolphins, Shanahan briefed reporters on some of the latest injury updates, which included not-so-fortunate news about his future Hall of Fame left tackle, Trent Williams.
"I mean, if he gets back to healthy we'd play him," Shanahan said of the perennial All-Pro. "But it's not like that right now. So it's getting closer to being that way."
Williams has been dealing with an ankle injury that has sidelined him since Week 11, coupled with the tragic loss of twin boys during his wife's pregnancy complications, revealed by the left tackle last month.
Additional reports had Williams moving around the locker room on a scooter, which only further points toward him not returning to the field anytime soon.
If at all for the final three regular-season games.
Related story: 3 players 49ers fans can't wait to see leave San Francisco this offseason
At 6-8, San Francisco has the slimmest-possible chances of making the postseason and might opt to simply shut the 36-year-old veteran down, assuming his own health and availability for 2025 are the bigger priorities.
Should that happen, Williams would join other notable offensive All-Pros who landed on season-ending IR, previously, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (ACL, MCL) and running back Christian McCaffrey (PCL).
In the interim, swing tackle Jaylon Moore will likely continue to fill in for Williams at left tackle.