Niners Nation
After the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 9 win over the New York Giants, head coach Kyle Shanahan said, “We’re worried it’s an ACL” when referring to first-round pick Mykel Williams’ injury.
Williams was well on his way to playing a season-high in snaps against the Giants. Even after injury, he ended up playing 50 percent of the snaps. On the season, Williams played 66 percent of the snaps for the defense.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler confirmed that testing revealed Mykel Williams indeed tore his ACL, as the team feared. The 49ers have already been decimated by injury, specifically the defensive line. It would be easier to list the players who haven’t suffered an injury or been listed on the injury list than vice versa.
Now, as the team was hopeful Bryce Huff could return after missing two games with a hamstring injury, they’ll need to replace one of their most reliable defenders.
Against the Giants, Sam Okayinonu played the most snaps of any defensive lineman. Of the 57, Sam O played 41, Alfred Collins 33, Keion White 33, and Mykel was next at 29. The team has gone out of its way to avoid playing Robert Beal, who played 13 snaps. The other option on the edge is the newly signed Clelin Ferrell, who played 18 snaps against the Giants.
The 49ers’ hand might be forced when it comes to acquiring defensive linemen before the trade deadline.
