Chiefs vs. 49ers: Trent Williams hopes to return from high ankle sprain

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 16: Trent Williams #71 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field against the Dallas Cowboys prior to an NFL wild-card playoff football game at AT&T Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 16: Trent Williams #71 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field against the Dallas Cowboys prior to an NFL wild-card playoff football game at AT&T Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The San Francisco 49ers are hoping Trent Williams can return to the offensive line after missing a few weeks with a high ankle sprain.

This has been a tough year for the medical/training staff for the San Francisco 49ers. From role players to key starters to their franchise quarterback, the Niners have endured a litany of injuries in the season’s first half—some of which have been lost for the entire year. For a young team coming off a deep postseason run, it was just about the worst luck possible.

As the Kansas City Chiefs come to visit in Week 7 at Levi’s Stadium, the hope for Niners fans is that some of these injuries can start to heal up enough to turn the tide. One bit of great news in the face of such frustrations is that their best overall player, left tackle Trent Williams, returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time in weeks.

Williams has been gone since he endured a high ankle sprain in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos. That game became one of the head-scratching losses on the 49ers resume this season, a list that also includes surprising losses to the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons.

The Niners went through a major overhaul of their offensive line this offseason even with Williams back at left tackle due to the loss of left guard Laken Tomlinson in free agent and the retirement of center Alex Mack. It also hasn’t helped that right tackle Mike McGlinchey continues to deal with injuries year after year, including 2022. The loss of Williams has become a serious hurdle for a team with such a high-octane offense when at full strength.

With Williams back in practice, there is cause for optimism, but nothing is set just yet. High ankle sprains can take time and he was limited in his participation on Wednesday. Expect a puzzling injury designation heading into the game with a call made on Sunday as to whether or not he will actually play against the Chiefs.

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