SANTA CLARA — Left tackle Trent Williams and defensive end Nick Bosa have not missed a start amid the 49ers’ rocky 5-4 start this season. Neither star is a lock to suit up Sunday, but Williams’ situation looks more dire ahead of this upcoming NFC West home game against the Seattle Seahawks (4-5).
Williams, as has been the case in previous seasons, is hobbled by an ankle issue that kept him out of practice this week, as well as a wrist injury. Jaylon Moore would be in line to make his first start this season and eighth in four years in place of Williams, who will be a game-time call, coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday.
“It’s been hurting all week. I thought he’d be able to go today and he couldn’t,” Shanahan said. “Hopefully he’ll be better tomorrow and good to go, but we can take it all the way up to kickoff.”
An ankle injury caused Williams to miss two games last season — October losses to the Vikings and the Bengals — after not practicing those weeks. He also missed three games in 2022 because of a high ankle sprain.
Bosa is questionable, as are tight end George Kittle (hamstring), left guard Aaron Banks (thigh), guard Jon Feliciano (knee) and defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos, the latter of whom is expected to come off injured reserve Saturday.
Bosa confirmed Wednesday that playing through a hip injury last game was the toughest pain he’s endured in 5 1/2 seasons. Bosa, too, rested and rehabilitated this week rather than practice Wednesday and Thursday.
WISHNOWSKY TO IR
Punter Mitch Wishnowsky is out and likely heading for injured reserve with a back injury. “It’s bothered him a ton in camp, rested him a ton, got better, and acted back up again,” Shanahan said.
Pat O’Donnell, a nine-year veteran, will be called up to the roster after signing earlier this week to the practice squad. He said he auditioned a couple of weeks ago with the 49ers, and he’s previously done offseason work with long snapper Taybor Pepper which could help as O’Donnell holds for kicker Jake Moody.
O’Donnell spent eight seasons with the Chicago Bears and last kicked in 2023 with the Green Bay Packers, where the 49ers play Nov. 24. His experience in cold weather games could make a smooth transition with Moody.
“It’s getting a good feel of it in pregame. I know it’s really important with the holder and the kicker to get on the same page, having good aiming and visual points,” O’Donnell said. “I can help him with that, especially in Green Bay, where (wind) swirls. I know he’s not a rookie being in cold weather because he played at Michigan. We’ll be OK.”
OTHER 49ERS INJURIES
Also out are cornerback Charvarius Ward (bereavement leave) and defensive tackle Kevin Givens (pelvis). Cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. (pelvis) is doubtful.
Off the injury report and fully expected to play are running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle) and Chris Conley (hamstring).
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk had surgery earlier this week to repair the ligaments he tore in his right knee last month against Kansas City.
SEAHAWKS CENTER RETIRES
Seahawks center Connor Williams decided to retire earlier this week for personal reasons, coach Mike Macdonald announced, adding that the Seahawks “respect that, wish him the best and we’ve got to move forward. We’ll honor his wishes and keep those reasons private.”
Olu Oluwatimi will start Sunday in place of Williams. Oluwatimi has one career start — a win last season over the Arizona Cardinals — and is in his second year out of Michigan.
“When you miss a center, it’s always hard for a quarterback and the rest of the O-line, because they make so many calls,” Shanahan said. “It all depends on your backup, though, and how comfortable you are with that.”
Starting on the interior for the 49ers are Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott, with Evan Anderson, Kalia Davis and Khalil Davis in reserve.
Williams played every snap this season after returning from a 2023 knee injury with Miami. He played his first four seasons as the Dallas Cowboys’ left guard before joining Miami in 2022.
OTHER SEATTLE UPDATES
Wide receiver DK Metcalf (knee) will return from a two-game absence for the Seahawks. Right tackle Abe Lucas is expected to make his season debut after overcoming a knee injury. Also ruled out were tight ends Noah Fant (groin) and Brady Russell (foot).
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