Friday the 13th came early for the 49ers.
asserted
13th → come → 49ers
Coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that two of the Niners’ most important players were suddenly questionable for their showdown against the Cowboys this Sunday.
asserted
two → reveal → Cowboys
The 49ers could be without All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams and stalwart linebacker Dre Greenlaw after both players suffered injuries in practice this week.
uncertain
players → suffer → practice
Williams tweaked his shoulder Thursday, and Greenlaw hurt his knee in the same session.
asserted
Greenlaw → tweak → session
Williams sat out Friday’s practice, while Greenlaw was listed as a limited participant.
asserted
Greenlaw → sit → participant
Shanahan kept his cards close to the vest about either player’s status for Sunday.
“It just means that he’s questionable, whatever that means,” Shanahan said.
asserted
Shanahan → keep → whatever
“Anytime you hurt your shoulder on a Thursday, it doesn’t make you totally at ease.
asserted
you → hurt → ease
Sunday comes fast.
asserted
Sunday → come → ?
But hopefully that’s enough time for him to be all right.”
asserted
him → ’ → ?
Brock Purdy has been sacked only eight times this season, but if Williams, 38, isn’t able to go, he could have a gaping hole on his blindside.
uncertain
he → sack → blindside
Led by Quinnen Williams, the Cowboys have racked up 12 sacks over their past four games, getting to the quarterback at least twice in each.
asserted
Cowboys → lead → each
Williams’ absence would be “huge,” Shanahan said.
asserted
Shanahan → say → ?
“The left tackle in general is always huge, and then a guy of Trent’s caliber is huge,” Shanahan said.
asserted
Shanahan → say → caliber
“He’s a captain for a reason and everyone knows Trent Williams is one of the best players in this league.”
asserted
Williams → ’ → league
Veteran backup Vederian Lowe would likely step in for Williams.
asserted
Lowe → step → Williams
Enrique Cruz, a second-year seventh-round pick, would then be potentially one snap away from seeing his first live action.
asserted
Cruz → see → action
Had it happened earlier in the week, Shanahan said the 49ers would have considered activating Austen Pleasants.
asserted
49ers → happen → Pleasants
The fourth-year lineman has been on injured reserve since the start of the season but “could” have been an option if he had been able to practice, Shanahan said.
uncertain
Shanahan → practice → season
“Vederian’s been doing great,” Shanahan said.
asserted
Shanahan → do → ?
“We’ve had Cruz working, so we’ve got the numbers there to handle it.”
asserted
we → have → it
Williams, in his 16th season, has been playing at as high of a level as ever.
asserted
Williams → play → level
He has also been durable, playing every competitive snap so far this season.
asserted
He → play → snap
The 49ers, on the other hand, already have experience playing without Greenlaw.
asserted
49ers → have → Greenlaw
When he was suspended for their Monday night win over the Commanders, rookie Jaden Dugger filled in and played well.
asserted
Dugger → suspend → Commanders
He managed to make an impact last week against the Raiders despite getting on the field for only 12 snaps, picking off Kirk Cousins and taking it to the house on the first play of the second half.
asserted
He → manage → half
Shanahan said that “hopefully” the 49ers would have Greenlaw on Sunday.
asserted
49ers → say → Sunday
“But if we don’t,” he said, “next man up.
asserted
he → do → ?
And our next man’s proven himself so far.”
asserted
man → prove → himself
The Aporia
