The San Francisco 49ers might have suffered a blow on defense Sunday—Patrick Willis has left their game against the St. Louis Rams Sunday afternoon after grabbing his hamstring, and as the first quarter wound down was being examined by trainers on the 49ers bench.
The good news is that he’s not moving like someone who’s just learned he’ll miss an extended period of time—he’s moving up and down the sideline, according to reports, although too slowly to be expected back as quickly as Rams OL Adam Goldberg, who looked down for the count only to return after a few plays on the same drive. In the second quarter the 49ers announced that Willis, suffering from an undetermined hamstring injury, was doubtful to return later in the game.
Willis, the 2007 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons since being selected 11th overall by the 49ers in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
For more Rams-49ers updates, follow the SB Nation St. Louis storystream, updated regularly throughout the game. For more on Willis’s injury, check out the potentially-worried SB Nation Bay Area.