Niners eye full workload for Williams, reduced snaps for Aiyuk - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — After four practices this week, the San Francisco 49ers will welcome left tackle Trent Williams and receiver Brandon Aiyuk back for Monday night's regular-season opener against the New York Jets.

The lingering question for Williams and Aiyuk, both of whom resolved their contract issues in time to begin practicing with the Niners on Tuesday, is just how many snaps they'll be able to play after missing almost all of training camp and the preseason.

The answer, it seems, might be different for each player. According to coach Kyle Shanahan on Saturday, Williams is likely to take on something closer to his full, normal workload, while Aiyuk is set for a bit of a reduction in the number of snaps he normally plays.

Because Williams plays offensive tackle, it's less likely the Niners will want to sub him out in any sort of rotation with backup Jaylon Moore unless absolutely necessary.

Shanahan said Williams returned in good shape and got better through each of the four practices the team held this week. Still, that's not much time to then go and play a full game's worth of snaps, which means Williams will be monitored closely throughout the game by offensive line coach Chris Foerster.

«I'd like him to [play the whole game], but you've got to watch it,» Shanahan said. «We've got to talk to him. I haven't done this too much with a tackle. O-linemen are different with rotating… but also it seems weird to just watch Trent sitting on the sideline next to us. That's something we'll be on top of throughout the game and he'll be honest with us and how he feels.»

The Niners will make a roster move by Monday afternoon to clear a space for Williams, who was on the reserve/did not report list after holding out 40 days