Backup plan: Why 49ers are confident Jaylon Moore can fill in for Trent Williams vs. Vikings

The San Francisco 49ers are facing the possibility of being without their All-Pro tackle on Monday night when they take on the Minnesota Vikings. Trent Williams sustained an ankle injury early in last weekend's game against the Cleveland Browns, but he fought through the pain, finishing the Week 6 contest.

Williams did not participate in practice this week and is currently listed as "doubtful" for Monday's game. Jaylon Moore received all of this week's practice reps with the starters and will take William's place at left tackle if he cannot play.

Moore has been with the team since 2021, when the 49ers made him a fifth-round draft pick out of Western Michigan.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan, speaking to reporters after Saturday's practice, was questioned about his confidence in Moore's ability to step in for the injured Williams.

"The good thing with Jaylon is he gets a lot of work with us," Shanahan said. "Trent, with his age and stuff, he never really goes on [the first practice of the week], so Jaylon's always going with all the reps on [those days]. He got a ton of reps in preseason, all the games and everything. So he's ready for this moment.

"He's been with us for a while, and if he's got to step up, which it's looking that way right now, he'll be ready. He's had a good week."

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The 49ers are counting on Moore's preseason efforts and participation in the first practice day of each week to equip him to face Minnesota's blitz-heavy defense.

Shanahan sentiments echoed those of his offensive line coach and run game coordinator, Chris Foerster.

"The good thing for Jaylon is he has had a lot of work when Trent had his vet days during camp and doesn't play in the preseason," Foerster told reporters on Friday. "So, Jaylon does get to play. You do get to see if he's progressed, and we think Jaylon has progressed.

"I mean, you've heard me say it in here a lot, that you don't know until you play in the games exactly how far, but he has improved on some things. It's been good to watch him do that, and hope that if he does get pressed into duty again on Monday night, then we'll be able to see some improvement."