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All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams missed Sunday’s showdown against the Chicago Bears With a hamstring injuryleaving the San Francisco 49ers without their most important player.
Williams was initially listed as questionable after leaving in the first quarter. But he was noticeably limping on one side and removed his gear to take a seat on the bench before undergoing an assessment in a sideline medical tent for several minutes.
The injury, if significant, has the potential to affect the 49ers not only for Sunday’s game but as they try to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC and into the playoffs. The severity of Williams’ injury was initially unclear, but the delay is likely due to a multi-week hamstring injury.
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A four-time All-Pro, Williams is one of the best to play his position. He earned his 12th Pro Bowl selection that season and is one of the game’s best at age 37. He is critical to San Francisco’s success in both the run and pass games.
San Francisco enters Sunday’s game already down a key offensive player with All-Pro tight end George Kittle out with a sprained ankle. Kittle sustained the injury in Monday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts and was questionable on Sunday before being ruled out before kickoff.
The 49ers have a lot at stake for the rest of their season. They entered Sunday’s game at 11-4, having already clinched a playoff berth. But with wins Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks and next week over the Bears, they hold the NFC West and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs that comes with it.
The bye will be all the more valuable if Williams suffers a multi-week injury. It will also be more difficult to achieve.
