The 49ers’ edge-rush plans took another hit Sunday, with Mykel Williams headed to the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List because of an ACL issue. According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, that move means the former first-round pick will miss at least the first four games of the season.
“49ers placed DL Mykel Williams on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List. Meaning the former first-round pick will be sidelined for at least the first four games this season,” Schefter posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter.
That leaves San Francisco waiting on one more piece of a pass-rush group that has already been slowed by injury. Nick Bosa is still working his way back from a torn ACL, and the 49ers are trying to bring him along gradually before their matchup with Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 10 in Melbourne, Australia.
Williams won’t be available for the opener, which also means the team won’t get the chance to pair him with Bosa right away. That was supposed to be part of the appeal when San Francisco used a first-round pick on Williams in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Georgia. Instead, the wait stretches into October.
For now, Bosa remains the lead name in the edge-rusher room. Behind him, the top options are Sam Okuayinou, Keion White and Romello Height, all of whom made the final 53-man roster on Sunday as the league wrapped up its roster cuts.
The 49ers also made a move up front on the other side of the ball, trading for offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson as they continue preparing for Donald again. But on defense, the attention is still on injuries - and on when Williams can finally join the mix.
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