Rookie defensive end Mykel Williams reportedly has torn ACL

Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News on Nov 3, 2025

Published in Football

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Add defensive end Mykel Williams to the lengthy San Francisco 49ers injury list, as the rookie first round draft pick sustained a torn ACL Sunday in a 34-24 road win over the New York Giants.

The news was first reported by ESPN. Coach Kyle Shanahan, scheduled to speak to local media later Monday afternoon, said after the game the fear was Williams indeed had a torn ACL.

“You never know, so I said, ‘Hey, hopefully it’s not the worst,'” Shanahan said. “But if it is, sucks for this year, but that’s all it sucks for. You’ll be back next year and this won’t affect you at all,’ ”

The Philadelphia Eagles got one of the potential edge rushers off the market, sending a third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for Jaelan Phillips, who plays predominantly as an edge rusher in a 3-4 defense.

If the 49ers hope to add a defensive lineman, they’ll need to do it soon as the NFL trading deadline is set for 1 p.m. PST on Tuesday.

Williams joins fellow defenders Nick Bosa (torn ACL) and linebacker Fred Warner as starters who have been declared out for the season.

A first round draft pick out of Florida State, at No. 11 overall Williams, 21, played both end and tackle. He had just one sack and one fumble recovery and needs polish as a pass rusher but was adept as a run defender particularly when setting an edge against tight ends.

The 49ers hope to get edge rusher Bryce Huff back for their Week 10 game Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium. Huff, who has four sacks, missed the last two games with a hamstring strain. Two defensive linemen were added to the roster who played against the Giants — Keion White and Clelin Ferrell.

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