Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Trent Williams returns to 49ers practice ahead of playoff game vs. Cowboys

By Adam Stites | Last updated 1/13/22

San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams returned to practice Thursday for the first time since suffering an elbow injury in Week 17.

Williams, 33, started 15 games for the 49ers this season and earned Pro Bowl honors for a ninth time. The elbow injury kept him out of action for San Francisco's critical Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Rams, although the 49ers managed to win in overtime without him.

While Williams didn't participate in practice Wednesday, he still told ESPN's Ed Werder that he was confident he'd be back in time to play a playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys.

I spoke to #Niners left tackle Trent Williams, who missed practice today and last week’s game against the #Rams with an elbow injury. He made it clear he intends to play Sunday against the #Cowboys, believing a brace and adrenaline will offset any remaining issues with the elbow.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) January 12, 2022

Having Williams protecting the blind side of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is a huge boon for the 49ers against the Cowboys pass rush. Dallas rookie linebacker Micah Parsons finished the regular season with 13 sacks, while two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence returned from an early season injury in December.

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