The San Francisco 49ers plan to open the practice window for defensive end Mykel Williams on Wednesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters this week.
It's a step toward his return from the physically unable to perform list following a 2025 ACL injury Williams has yet to fully recover from. While he won't play in Week 4, Williams has 21 days to be cleared to play after he starts practice. So, he could be eligible to return to game action in Week 5 if the 49ers are comfortable with how he's practicing.
Williams, a Georgia product, was the 11th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he recorded 20 tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery in nine starts. His season ended when he tore the ACL and lateral meniscus in his right knee in Week
9 against the Giants.
The 49ers need Williams back as soon as physically possible. Nick Bosa is out in Week 4 against the Broncos with the calf injury he suffered last week in practice. Alfred Collins is out for the year. Romello Height (broken hand) is expected back this week, but the depth chart is still thin. Sam Okuayinonu (broken foot) and C.J. West (chipped bone in his knee) are on injured reserve, and James Thompson Jr. is expected to miss multiple weeks with a high-ankle sprain. The 49ers did add veteran edge rusher Matthew Judon to their practice squad, so there's that.
The team is being careful with Williams. With a rash of defensive line injuries and few IR return designations left, San Francisco can't afford to bring him back and risk losing him again.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers plan to open Mykel Williams' practice window Wednesday
