Niners' defensive depth evaporates as rookie Mykel Williams reportedly suffers season-ending ACL tear. Trade market heats up for pass rush reinforcements.
The biggest nightmare feared for the San Francisco 49ers has come true with another season-ending injury suffered during their 34-24 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium – one to their first-round draft pick.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, rookie defensive lineman Mykel Williams suffered a torn ACL in Sunday’s win, which would be a season-ending injury. Williams went down late in the fourth quarter and was visibly in pain while being evaluated by the medical staff, eventually ending the contest in the locker room.
This is a defense that has lost both Fred Warner and Nick Bosa for the season, and the depth on the d-line is just alarming at this point. Yetur Gross-Matos is on injured reserve, and now Williams is lost for the season.
What a disappointing trajectory for the young talented Niners rookie, who was coming into his own amid a string of injuries to his unit. In addition to all of the above, Bryce Huff is still nursing a hamstring strain.
Every time this San Francisco team has something to celebrate, it seems they’re simultaneously hit with a tough blow. This makes a trade almost a necessity – and one with more impact than the most recent for Keion White. He’s currently one of the team’s only depth options alongside Clelin Ferrell who was elevated from the practice squad and recorded one of the team’s two sacks on Sunday.
It's a harsh place to have something this devastating happen. It’s where Bosa had his first season-ending ACL tear in 2020, who went down alongside Solomon Thomas. It’s a field that George Kittle called out in his postgame comments, and at this point, fairly so.
There have been plenty of rumors already about possible pass rushers that will be made available. Matt Barrows of The Athletic (subscription required), links them to having interest in one of three players from the Miami Dolphins – Jaelen Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Matthew Judon. As the at 4 p.m. ET trade deadline on Tuesday draws nearer, the 49ers’ phones should be in constant use.
Because while things continue to feel as bleak as possible amidst a 6-3 season, that win total is still one to keep going full throttle for. It would feel extremely odd to throw in the towel after this team just keeps finding a way to win. But that battle will become impossible without a credible pass rush, one that requires literal warm bodies, and San Francisco needs at least one incoming player off the trade market.