The San Francisco 49ers have been devastated by injuries all season long. However, in the wild-card round, the Niners saw the return of offensive tackle Trent Williams in the 23-19 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 11 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Williams had not played since injuring his hamstring in the Week 17 win over the Chicago Bears. As a result, his return to the lineup was a welcoming sign for San Francisco.
After the 49ers beat the Eagles, Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan shared his thoughts on Williams’ return as the veteran was questionable for this game.
“He told me Sunday night that there was no way he wouldn’t be playing this week,” Shanahan told reporters (h/t 95.7 The Game). “I knew his mindset and how he attacked everything. It was his first hamstring injury, and it’s very rare that you can play on it in that amount of time. He was adamant that he was going to do it. We’re a different team with Trent out there.”
Moreover, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey didn’t hold back on his thoughts on seeing Williams return to give them a boost, while also cracking a joke at the expense of his teammate.
“When you got a guy who’s in year 45, going out here and doing everything he can to come play, the speeches he gives, the energy he brings to our team—there’s no excuse,” McCaffrey jokingly said to reporters before getting serious (h/t KNBR). “He did everything under the sun to come back and play in this game, and did. I hate saying it, but it’s not shocking. That’s who he is, and that’s who this team is.”
Christian McCaffrey Spotlights 49ers’ Mentality
McCaffrey also noted that he’s not surprised that the 49ers can overcome another injury, this time to George Kittle, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon, while coming from behind on the road to beat the Eagles.
“I do know that this team fights,” McCaffrey added postgame (h/t FOX Sports). “I think this team’s never out of the fight. We can have a lot of stuff happen to us throughout the year—some unfortunate things happen to us—but we don’t blink, and I think we’re consistent every day.
“It’s something that, when you’re on a good team and a high-character team, they’re the same people every single day. We might mess up, might make mistakes, some bad plays here or there, but we don’t blink and keep fighting for each other.”
Richard Sherman Talks 49ers Beating Eagles
After the 49ers defeated the Eagles, former Niners cornerback Richard Sherman didn’t hold back his thoughts on San Francisco’s performance, considering Philadelphia had all its starters.
“Eagles played with almost all of their day 1 starters available,” Sherman wrote on X on Jan. 11. “The 49ers came in without so many of their starters, and they just continue to find a way. Great performance by the 49ers’ defense! Eric Kendricks‘ impact was felt all game, but never more than that last play! Veterans feel all game long. Sound tackling and poise!”
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