For the San Francisco 49ers, the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the regular season finale is essentially a preseason one.
Some players, like Brock Purdy, will be able to sit out, but others will have to play and most likely be substituted out in the middle of the game. When asked about star left tackle Trent Williams sitting out, Kyle Shanahan gave an intriguing response, possibly implying that he will play Williams.
“No, I don’t think it’s good for anybody to take two weeks off, so not at all.” Shanahan responded. “After taking a month or three weeks off, you should have seen how Trent was when he returned. It’s not good, but everything will depend on how the game plays out. This week, he needs to be thinking like he’s getting ready to play.”
The phrase “we’ll see how the game goes” is where Shanahan seems to be implying that Williams will start and then be substituted out after a while. So, when the 49ers play the Rams, will Williams be available?
Not a chance. For them to act in such a way would be absurd, if not hypocritical. Regarding whether or not to rest Williams, Shanahan’s response is a little erratic. He does allude to Williams’ playing in passing, but he also contradicts himself earlier. Although he claims he “doesn’t think it’s a good idea for anybody to take two weeks off,” he is in fact giving Purdy a two-week vacation. It appears as though he overlooked that.
In reality, he’s just responding with a disorganized thought. Since the Rams aren’t really trying too hard to game plan either, I don’t think he’s holding that information about Williams holding back because of game planning. Shanahan has made it clear this week that practice is essential to keeping the players in shape, so I believe he is doing that to make sure Williams gives it his all.