San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Mykel Williams will be sidelined for the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with torn ligaments in his right knee. The first-round pick sustained the injury late in the fourth quarter during Sunday”s victory against the New York Giants.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on Monday that tests had revealed the initial concern was accurate: Williams has a torn ACL as well as a torn lateral meniscus. This setback is another significant blow to a 49ers defense that has struggled with injuries throughout the season. Star edge rusher Nick Bosa was lost to a season-ending knee injury in Week 3, and four-time All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner was also taken out by an ankle injury in Week 6.
Adding to the team”s woes, defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos was placed on injured reserve last week due to a hamstring injury, while edge rusher Bryce Huff has missed the last two games with a similar issue. Williams, who was selected 11th overall in the draft from Georgia, was brought in to enhance the defensive line”s ability to stop the run and to contribute as a pass rusher both outside and inside the line.
Since joining the team, Williams has made a notable impact, helping the 49ers improve their run defense by allowing 0.28 fewer yards per carry. So far this season, he recorded 20 tackles, 19 pressures, four tackles for loss, one sack, and one fumble recovery. With Williams out, the 49ers will now rely on recently acquired Keion White to take over Williams” responsibilities as a run-stopper on early downs and as a potential inside pass rusher during passing situations. White was obtained from New England last week and had one pressure on 25 pass rush snaps, along with one tackle in his debut for the Niners.
Additionally, San Francisco signed Clelin Ferrell to the practice squad last week. Ferrell notably recorded a sack in his first game with the 49ers this season. Williams” injury occurred at MetLife Stadium, which is the same field where Giants receiver Malik Nabers suffered a torn ACL in his right knee earlier this season. In past visits to MetLife, the 49ers have also experienced several injuries, including Bosa”s torn ACL in 2020. Tight end George Kittle was among those who raised concerns about the field”s safety, despite the surface being updated since then.
League officials have defended the MetLife Stadium playing surface, with executive vice president of player health and safety initiatives Jeff Miller stating last month that the facility had “one of the lowest injury rates—not just among synthetic surfaces but across the league—last year.”
