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49ers list Williams and Greenlaw questionable, rule out Mike Evans vs. Cowboys

San Francisco's Friday injury report leaves its left tackle and a linebacker in doubt and takes a receiver off the board for Sunday.

By Bay Sports Report ·

The injury report

The 49ers will be without receiver Mike Evans against the Cowboys on Sunday, per ESPN. Left tackle Trent Williams and linebacker Dre Greenlaw are both listed as questionable. That is the only 49ers-specific news in the last 48 hours, so it's the whole digest.

What to watch

Here's the teaching point. A questionable tag means the player's status is genuinely uncertain, and the team may not settle it until close to game time. Here's what each outcome would mean.

If Williams can't go: The left tackle protects the quarterback's blind side, and the replacement has to handle that job against Dallas's pass rush. Watch whether San Francisco keeps a tight end or running back in to chip, and whether the quick passing game shows up early. Those are the usual ways to protect a backup tackle.

If Greenlaw is out: A linebacker is the communicator in the middle of the defense, and he sets run fits and drops in coverage. When a new player fills that spot, the first thing to look for is whether the defense lines up cleanly. Missed assignments show up as big plays for the other side.

With Evans out: The passing game loses a target, so the other receivers will have to win their one-on-one matchups. The offense may lean more on its run game and short throws. That's my read, not something in the report.

Bottom line

Check the inactive list about 90 minutes before kickoff. That will tell you more than the questionable tags do. If both Williams and Greenlaw play, the 49ers are in decent shape. If either sits, the staff has to adjust the game plan on the fly.

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