SAN FRANCISCO — Jacquian Williams says he is not quite sure how he will feel walking onto the field today at Candlestick Park, site of his game-changing play in last year’s NFC Championship.
“I’m curious now how I will feel going out there understanding what took place there my rookie year,’’ Williams said.
It was Williams who reached out and forced a fumble on punt returner Kyle Williams to provide the Giants with the momentum-swing needed in the overtime classic. The Giants got the ball on the 49ers’ 24-yard line and before long Lawrence Tynes was kicking them into Super Bowl XLVI.
Williams, a second-year linebacker who will get a crack at containing tight end Vernon Davis, said the forced fumble changed his life.
“Yeah, you get people coming up to you and it makes you understand how big of a play it was,’’ Williams said. “I get a lot of respect for that play, but I learned and I try to tell the rookies that it takes more than just one play to make a name for yourself.’’
* WR Hakeem Nicks, listed as questionable, made the trip and will return after missing the past three games with foot and knee issues, unless he suffers a physical setback. Two other players listed as questionable, CB Corey Webster (hamstring) and RT David Diehl (knee), also made the trip. Webster is expected to start. Diehl has missed the past three games with ligament damage in his knee. In his place, veteran Sean Locklear has played well, and it is likely Locklear will remain in the starting lineup. Diehl possibly could be used as an extra blocker in certain formations.
The Giants are getting healthier on defense, and the return of rookie CB Jayron Hosley cannot be minimized. Hosley missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, after he had been coming on at nickel corner. LB Keith Rivers returns from his own hamstring issues after missing three of the past four games.
* In addition to the diversified 49ers offensive attack, the Giants also spent plenty of time this week preparing for the West Coast version of the Wildcat, operated by backup QB Colin Kaepernick. It’s far more effective than the Tim Tebow-led Jets Wildcat, as Kaepernick is averaging 10.6 yards on 10 rushing attempts and has two touchdowns.
“They ran a little bit of the option against us in the [NFC] championship game, so they’ve expanded that a little more,’’ defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said. … Rookie DT Markus Kuhn will make his second NFL start in place of injured Rocky Bernard (quad). … The Giants have scored an on NFL-best 51.8 percent of their possessions this season. The 49ers are second at 49.1 percent.