After a grueling recovery from a torn ACL, 49ers defensive end Mykel Williams is set to return this Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
The wait has been long, quiet, and exhausting, but the finish line for Mykel Williams finally appears in sight. After spending nearly a year sidelined by a torn ACL, the San Francisco 49ers defensive end is expected to be activated for Sunday’s clash against the Seattle Seahawks.
For a player who was selected in the first round of the 2025 draft. the transition from rookie promise to rehabilitation room was abrupt. His last appearance in the lineup came in Week 9 of last season. a game that feels like a lifetime ago for a pass rusher who thrives on high-speed disruption. During the months of isolation. watching the 49ers struggle to generate a consistent pass rush—particularly with Nick Bosa absent for the start of this campaign—has been an exercise in frustration.
“I’m going crazy. I’m losing my mind,” Williams said. “I’m ready to go. I’m excited to play ball. I miss playing ball. It’s been like damn near a year since I played, so I just want to get back on the field.”
Before the knee injury cut his rookie campaign short, Williams recorded 20 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. He has spent the duration of his recovery not just healing, but evolving. He dedicated his time away from the gridiron to becoming leaner, specifically working to increase his burst and explosiveness.
When asked if those technical adjustments would translate to the game, Williams was blunt: “We’re going to see Sunday.”
The 49ers enter the matchup with a perfect 4-0 record. Adding a rejuvenated Williams to the defensive rotation could be the catalyst needed to maintain that momentum, provided his body holds up to the demands of the game he has spent months preparing to rejoin.
Mykel Williams 49ers NFL Seahawks injury recovery pass rush