The San Francisco 49ers list of players on injured lists ballooned to 16 with their Thursday roster moves.
All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams was officially placed on season-ending IR because of an ankle injury that has kept him out of action since Week 12. Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday told reporters Williams was going to miss the team’s final two games.
This is the second day in a row the 49ers’ roster moves have included placing a player on IR. Williams’s backup, Jaylon Moore, was moved to IR on Wednesday because of a quad injury.
The list of players on injured lists includes defensive end Drake Jackson who is on the PUP list and not IR. San Francisco’s 16 players on IR feature All-Pros Williams, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and running back Christian McCaffrey. Breakout star RB Jordan Mason is there, as well as defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and starting punter Mitch Wishnowsky.
Williams was replaced on the active roster by offensive lineman Matt Hennessey who inked a two-year deal with the club. Hennessey was a third-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in the 2020 draft. He started 22 of the 45 games he played with Atlanta and spent most of this season on their practice squad. The center gives the 49ers veteran depth at a position they’ll likely look to upgrade in the offseason.
The 49ers also announced OL Sebastian Gutierrez re-signed to the practice squad. He may get elevated to the active roster for Monday’s game vs. the Lions since the 49ers will need depth and Gutierrez has familiarity with their offense.
