49ers-Cowboys injury report: Williams, Garoppolo cleared to go but linebackers questionable
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers listed four players as questionable for their playoff opener at Dallas, and not among those in doubt are left tackle Trent Williams and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Williams, who made First Team All-Pro on Friday, is fully expected to face the Cowboys after an elbow sprain kept him out of the 49ers’ regular-season finale against the Rams.
Garoppolo will make start a second straight game despite a torn ligament in his right thumb, having practiced in full Wednesday for the first time since his Dec. 23 sprain.
Questionable are punter Mitch Wishnowsky (concussion), safety Talanoa Hufanga (groin) and linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and Marcell Harris (Achilles). Al-Shaair did not participate in Friday’s walk-through. Wishnowsky can clear through the concussion protocol if he has no symptoms Saturday, coach Kyle Shanahan said.
JUSZCZYK ON JIMMY
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who got emotional a year ago about his potential departure in free agency, has felt similar feelings late in the season regarding Garoppolo’s uncertain future.
Juszczyzk was compelled before last game to point out to Garoppolo it could be their last game together, presuming the 49ers part with their quarterback in favor of Trey Lance next season. “I didn’t know when was the right time to say something,” Juszczyk recalled of Saturday’s moment. “At the end of day, he’s been my quarterback for five years and I wanted to let him know I appreciate him. Through all ups and downs, he’s been such a professional and friend.
“When he hit Deebo down the sideline to put us in position (for a game-tying touchdown drive Sunday), I’m like, ‘Wow, look at Jim step up to the plate, with his back against the wall, in what could be his last pass as a Niner, and he delivers. I’m proud to see what he’s doing.”
That includes how Garoppolo has handled Lance’s presence since Day 1. “There’s never been an awkwardness to it. Both have driven themselves to play at a high level,” Juszczyk said. “On the personal side, we don’t talk too much about it. There’ve been times we’ve dove into it, but we don’t take it too far because we don’t want to get emotional. We’ve been playing so long together and mean so much to each other that we’ve avoided the topic.”
Juszczyk, by the way, relished serving as the emergency holder last game, saying he thought in high school he would make it to the NFL as a holder, thinking it was a specialized position. “I genuinely thought I was so good at it,” Juszczyk recalled. “Growing up, my brother was a long snapper and that’s all we did in the back yard, he snapped and I held.” (Wishnowsky will resume that role Sunday if he’s cleared from concussion protocol.)
WILLIAMS’ RETURN
Nickel back K’Waun Williams practiced all week and is expected to play. He missed last game after spending the previous five days on COVID reserve.
“K’Waun is very meticulous and a regimented guy and there was a lot of stuff that he missed and his body didn’t feel right going through all that,” Shanahan said. “And the situation we were in, he didn’t feel it was right for him to go. … So we fully supported that and it was next man up and we needed a number of them.”
TEAM’S MINDSET
After 17 games (plus overtime in Sunday), how exhausted are the 49ers? Not enough to tamper down their confidence and goals.
“Most of the teams in the playoffs are pretty confident right now and we’re no different,” Shanahan said. “We felt real confident going into Tennessee and had a tough loss. We played well against Houston and took confidence into LA, felt it’d be a playoff game and that has us more battle-tested for now.”
Said Deebo Samuel: “The team mindset’s is: win or go home. What are you willing to do for the guy next to you? We have a great bond and brotherhood. I don’t want this to be the last time I put on the uniform with all these guys.”
CANNON RETURN?
Special-teams ace Trenton Cannon practiced this week for the first time since his Dec. 5 concussion on the opening kickoff at Seattle. “From a health standpoint he’s fine,” Shanahan said. “Mentally, it was good to get in practice and feel comfortable. He’s definitely an option for us.” Cannon would have to be activated off injured reserve by 1 p.m. Saturday.
COWBOYS NIX ONE
Linebacker Keanu Neal (chest, elbow) was ruled out after missing their final two practices, and safety Isreael Mukuamu (hamstring) went on injured reserve.
Running back Tony Pollard (foot) and left tackle Tyron Smith (knee, ankle) are fully cleared to play.