The 49ers’ edge rush depth is suddenly looking thin, and the latest update on Mykel Williams only sharpens the problem.
With Nick Bosa already dealing with tendinitis in his knee, Kyle Shanahan’s news on Williams’ Week 1 availability makes it easy to picture San Francisco heading into the opener without both of its top edge options. That would leave the defense in a spot it doesn’t want to be in, and it puts the spotlight on a simple question: who can the Niners bring back to steady the pass rush?
One name that makes immediate sense is Yetur Gross-Matos. He was banged up a lot during his two seasons in San Francisco, but he’s still sitting in free agency and he did post four sacks for the Niners in 2024.
If the price is right, he’s at least worth a look as a short-term answer. He could help if Bosa or Williams need time, and if he holds up physically, he could become more than just a fill-in.
Kevin Givens is another possibility, even though he’s an interior defender rather than an edge rusher. The 49ers just moved on from him, but adding help inside could open the door for more creativity on the outside.
Gracen Halton also turned heads in the team’s first preseason game, which raises the idea of trying him in an edge role. When numbers are this tight, the Niners may need to get inventive.
Then there’s Leonard Floyd, the reunion that feels so natural it’s surprising it hasn’t happened already. Floyd has a long connection with defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and was with San Francisco in 2024.
If Williams and Bosa need more time, he’d fit as a veteran stopgap who knows how to get the job done. If the Niners are the ones calling, he may not have much choice anyway.
San Francisco’s pass rush is not in a great place right now, and waiting around doesn’t seem like the answer. If the team wants to avoid a shaky start, bringing back one of these familiar faces would be a straightforward way to add some much-needed help before the regular season arrives.
In Other News...
49ers Roster Battle Took A Turn During This Preseason Blowout
The 49ers turned a preseason blowout into a long look at the bottom of the roster, and the game quickly became more about auditions than the score. Brock Purdy played briefly before giving way, San Francisco was up 20-3 by halftime and stretched the margin to 41-9 in the second half, opening the door for a cluster of rookies and fringe players to get extended snaps in a live setting.
Jacob Cowing, DeZhaun Stribling, Kaelon Black, Carver Willis, Austen Pleasants and Jalen Stroman all saw meaningful action, with the results mixed as the staff sorted through a crowded roster battle. Adrian Martinez handled the second half and left a little bit of everything on the tape, including a pick-six, but also a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown as the 49ers kept the scoreboard moving while the evaluation window stayed wide open. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Injury Pileup Is Raising New Concerns Before Week 1
The 49ers left their preseason game against the Chargers with more than just the usual August bruises. Guard Austen Pleasants was ruled out with a knee injury, and rookie cornerback Renardo Green also left the contest and was questionable to return before ultimately not coming back. For a team trying to get through camp healthy and ready for Week 1, those are the kinds of exits that can linger well beyond one exhibition game.
Kyle Shanahans update on the defensive front added another layer to the concern, even if it came with some cautious optimism. He said Nick Bosa is making progress, while Mykel Williams is still trending toward missing the season opener. With the regular season approaching, the 49ers are once again navigating the uncomfortable mix of waiting, monitoring, and hoping the injury report does not keep growing. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Facing Uncomfortable Roster Calls As Two Camp Battles Intensify
The 49ers are moving deeper into preseason evaluation mode, and a couple of roster questions are starting to feel less like camp chatter and more like decisions the front office may have to live with. Christian McCaffrey remains part of the bigger picture, but the more immediate pressure is on players such as Kirk and Colby, whose place on the roster now depends on how the team weighs performance, health, and fit as August unfolds.
Kirks case has become especially tricky because the injury interruptions have stacked up alongside a dip in production, which puts him in the middle of a real cut conversation rather than a routine depth chart debate. Colby, meanwhile, is fighting a different kind of battle, one centered on the starting guard job and the sort of interior competition Kyle Shanahan and Chris Foerster tend to use as a true test of who can hold up when the pads come on. [Read more 🡒]