49ers' Kyle Shanahan: Trent Williams Unlikely to Return from Injury in 2024 Season

San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams, who has missed his team's last four games with an ankle injury, may sit the remainder of the season.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan delivered that news to reporters on Wednesday:

The 11-time Pro Bowler has been a first-team All-Pro each of the past three seasons.

Obviously, missing Williams for any amount of time is a tremendous loss given his elite play. Unfortunately, he's just another in a long line of key injuries for the defending NFC champions.

Players out for the season include wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, interior offensive lineman Jon Feliciano, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and running back Christian McCaffrey.

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw just recently debuted in 2024 after suffering a torn Achilles during last February's Super Bowl. Safety Talanoa Hufanga has only played four games after landing on injured reserve with a right wrist ailment. Edge-rusher Nick Bosa also missed three games with hip/oblique injuries.

And now Williams appears done in what's become a lost year for the 6-8 49ers, who currently sit last in the NFC West. The team currently has less than a one percent chance to make the playoffs, per NFL.com. So it doesn't make much sense for Williams to play hurt or risk re-injury at this juncture.

Without Williams, the 49ers have turned to Jaylon Moore at left tackle. Moore has served as Williams' backup over the past four seasons. Pro Football Focus ranks him 17th among 132 offensive tackles, and he hasn't given up a sack in 238 offensive snaps.

As for the 49ers, they'll visit the Miami Dolphins on Sunday before closing out the season with a home game against the Detroit Lions and a road matchup versus the Arizona Cardinals.