Patrick Willis Injury: Updates on 49ers Star's Toe and Return
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San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Patrick Willis suffered a toe injury during Monday night's NFC West showdown with the St. Louis Rams.
The 49ers' official Twitter account reported on Willis' status in the third quarter, and then provided another update a few minutes later:
Patrick Willis (toe) is questionable to return. #SFvsSTL
- San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 14, 2014
Patrick Willis is now OUT (toe). #SFvsSTL
- San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 14, 2014
Before Monday's game at the Edward Jones Dome, Willis emphasized how his side of the ball had to set the tone away from home against a division rival.
'When you go on the road,' said Willis, per 49ers.com's Taylor Price. 'You have to pack the defense. That's what we're about here, we're about playing team football and bringing the defense.'
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller alluded to how thin the Niners' vaunted defense is becoming absent so many key contributors:
49ers now without Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Aldon Smith and Glenn Dorsey.
- Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) October 14, 2014
Willis, NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith comprise three of the four typical starting linebackers, and the San Francisco defense has been without the latter two for the entire year thus far. Losing the real field general and emotional leader in Willis would be a devastating blow if his ailment is truly serious.
To frame the analysis in Willis' own words, the Niners' ability to play team football and rise to the occasion no matter what will be tested in this situation. With how competitive the division is, San Francisco can't afford to drop a perceived winnable contest in St. Louis.
A road trip to Denver to face Peyton Manning and the high-octane Broncos offense looms in Week 7. That will come on a short week for the Niners, too, so the team will be hoping with all its might that Willis is fit enough to suit up for that marquee matchup.
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