49ers-Packers pregame: Trent Williams out as QB Brandon Allen’s blindside blocker
GREEN BAY, Wisc. — Quarterback Brandon Allen’s first start in place of an injured Brock Purdy won’t come with the luxury of having All-Pro Trent Williams at left tackle.
Williams’ ankle injury is forcing him to miss his first game this season for the 49ers (5-5), likely thrusting Jaylon Moore into the lineup against the host Packers (7-3).
Even though he got ruled out Friday because of right-shoulder soreness, Purdy was on the team’s first bus into Lambeau Stadium, a 30-minute ride from their Appleton hotel. Josh Dobbs will serve as Allen’s only backup, seeing how rookie Tanner Mordecai was not elevated from the practice squad Saturday.
Also inactive are defensive end Nick Bosa (obliques, hips), cornerback Charvarius Ward (personal), return specialist Jacob Cowing (concussion), and, defensive tackles Kevin Givens (groin) and Khalil Davis.
Williams was not seen testing out his ankle in pregame warmups, a week after he did so to suit up and play in the 49ers’ 20-17 loss to Seattle. He has never made it through an entire season playing every game since joining the 49ers in 2020, though he hasn’t missed more than three games in a season. The 49ers went 3-6 without him the previous four seasons.
While the 49ers’ offensive line copes without Williams, center/guard Jon Feliciano has yet to be activated off injured reserve and his three-week evaluation window expires Monday.
PURDY’S SECOND MRI
Purdy’s shoulder required an MRI not just on Monday but Thursday, and that follow-up exam did not reveal anything new, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported, adding that the 49ers are hoping Purdy’s rehabilitation will allow him to start next Sunday’s game at Buffalo.
DEFENSIVE MAKEOVER
The 49ers addressed their defensive depth Saturday by adding safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. to the active roster after three weeks on the practice squad, from which they elevated linebacker Jalen Graham (No. 41) and cornerback Nick McCloud (No. 35) for this game. Linebacker Tatum Bethune (knee) went on injured reserve Saturday to open the roster spot for Gipson.
The only 49ers defenders today who also played in last season’s wild-card playoff win over the Packers are Gipson, linebacker Fred Warner, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir and defensive end Robert Beal, according to the Associated Press’ Josh Dubow.
PACKERS INACTIVES
Cornerback Jaire Alexander, safety Kitan Oladapo, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and offensive lineman Jacob Monk were deactivated by the Packers.
WEATHER STATUS
Temperatures are expected to remain in the low 40s and there is a slight chance of rain late in the game. Kickoff temperature is 43 degrees with 12 mph winds.
49ERS’ LAMBEAU HISTORY
The 49ers may have won in their last visit here — 13-10 in a January 2022 divisional playoff — they’ve are 6-13 all-time at this fabled venue. They lost their last regular-season game (33-30 on Oct. 15, 2018), and they lost eight straight visits to Lambeau Field before winning the 2012 opener here, followed by a January 2014 wild-card playoff win.
The 49ers are not scheduled to play the Packers again until 2027 at Levi’s Stadium, which also could host a meeting in 2026 if both teams finish in the same place of their respective divisions next season.