Patrick Willis injury update: 49ers linebacker could miss Rams game with groin injury

The San Francisco 49ers are likely going to be without linebacker Patrick Willis this week, as he suffered a groin injury in the 49ers loss to the Colts. Willis suffered the injury in the third quarter, and was ruled out for the remainder of the game shortly thereafter. According to Matt Maiocco, the 49ers do not expect Willis to be available for TNF.

The other beat writers left it a bit more up in the air, with Cam Inman indicating an MRI would likely reveal the severity of the injury. However, with only three days off between now and Thursday Night Football, it would seem unlikely to me that we see Patrick Willis playing.

If Willis is unable to play, Michael Wilhoite would get the start. Wilhoite looked very solid in the preseason. While Wilhoite does not have quite the extensive athletic repertoire as Willis, he seems like a guy who can get the job done for the short term. It reminds me of the Larry Grant situation a couple years ago, when we saw him fill in for Willis late in the season. Ideally thought, this injury does not cost Willis more than a game.

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