After a grueling recovery from a torn ACL, 49ers defensive end Mykel Williams is set to return against the Seahawks, aiming to bolster a struggling pass rush.
The silence of the sideline has been the hardest part for Mykel Williams. For nearly a year. the 49ers defensive end has been tethered to the training room. watching from a distance as his teammates navigated a season defined by inconsistency and. specifically. a faltering pass rush during Nick Bosa’s early-season absence.
That wait is finally reaching its conclusion. Williams is expected to be activated for this Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. It will be his first appearance since Week 9 of last year. when a torn ACL abruptly ended his rookie campaign after he had notched 20 tackles. a sack. and a forced fumble.
“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.”
The 2025 first-round pick admitted that watching the team struggle to pressure quarterbacks has been “killing me.” His return comes at a pivotal moment, with the 49ers looking to maintain an undefeated 5-0 start to their season.
Behind the scenes, Williams didn’t spend the entirety of his recovery merely focusing on the knee. He dedicated his time away from the field to a physical transformation. working to become leaner while refining his movement to maximize his burst off the line. Whether that extra work pays off on the field remains to be seen. As Williams put it, “we’re going to see Sunday.”.
Mykel Williams 49ers Seahawks NFL injury return San Francisco 49ers Week 9 pass rush