SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers’ fears in regards to the harm to rookie defensive finish Mykel Williams have been confirmed Monday afternoon when a supply advised ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Williams tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his proper knee.
After the Niners’ 34-24 victory towards the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon, coach Kyle Shanahan left little doubt about Williams’ seemingly prognosis whereas additionally attempting to supply a touch of optimism that additional testing would reveal higher than anticipated information in a quick chat with the No. 11 total decide within the 2025 NFL draft.
“He is simply down and also you by no means know,” Shanahan mentioned after the sport. “Hopefully, it isn’t the worst, however whether it is, hey that sucks for this yr. However that is all it sucks for. You may be again subsequent yr and this would possibly not have an effect on you in any respect.”
Because it turned out, that is precisely the case for Williams, who will want surgical procedure to restore the knee after which start a prolonged restoration course of earlier than he can return in 2026.
Williams suffered the harm with about 4 minutes left within the recreation as he pressured Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. Williams acquired near Dart, who threw incomplete to his proper. However Williams’ knee buckled and he went down. His fast response advised one thing was significantly unsuitable as he grabbed for his proper knee and pounded his helmet and the turf in frustration.
Though Williams was capable of slowly stroll off the sector, Shanahan mentioned after the sport that the staff was “anxious” in regards to the harm being an ACL tear although an MRI on Monday was wanted to verify it. Williams has began every of San Francisco’s first 9 video games, averaging 45.4 snaps per contest and posting 20 tackles and a sack whereas lining up on the sting on early downs and transferring inside to hurry the quarterback on apparent passing downs.
Williams’ ACL tear is the most recent main blow to a 49ers staff that has been ravaged by harm this season with lots of these illnesses seeming to hit the protection prior to now month or so.
With Williams out, the Niners will play their remaining eight video games with out both of their high two defensive ends from the beginning of the season as Nick Bosa tore his proper ACL in a Week 3 win towards Arizona.
San Francisco additionally positioned defensive finish Yetur Gross-Matos on injured reserve Friday due to a hamstring harm and performed the previous two weeks with out edge rusher Bryce Huff. The Niners are additionally with out star linebacker Fred Warner (proper ankle dislocation).
Because it stands, the one wholesome defensive ends on the 53-man roster are Sam Okuayinonu, Robert Beal Jr. and Keion White, whom the staff acquired in a commerce with the New England Patriots final week. The 49ers elevated finish Clelin Ferrell from the follow squad to play towards the Giants after signing him final week, additionally. Huff is predicted to return for Sunday’s recreation towards the Los Angeles Rams.
All of which suggests the Niners, who’ve been looking for extra commerce assistance on the line of defense even after including White and Ferrell, will proceed wanting into these choices main into Tuesday’s commerce deadline.
Whereas assist might be on the best way, Niners left deal with Trent Williams made it clear after the win in New York that the accidents are taking their toll.
“Accidents are part of the sport and all people offers with it, however we’ve got been bitten notably arduous by the harm bug,” left deal with Trent Williams mentioned. “We have been capable of proceed and battle previous it. However who is aware of? You by no means know when that straw is simply sufficient to interrupt the camel’s again.”