Adam Schefter broke the news as the San Francisco 49ers are opening the 21-day practice window for defensive end Mykel Williams to return from his injury. Williams suffered a torn ACL and lateral meniscus in his right knee during Week 9 of his rookie season last year. The 11th overall pick from 2025 is finally getting back into the fold. 

This is huge news for multiple reasons. For starters, Williams needs all the reps he can get as a young player in this league. He’s got all the talent, hence his high draft selection, but nothing means as much as actual on-field NFL experience. Also, San Francisco’s front has been extremely banged up on defense. In fact, there’s multiple guys on the injury report still this week.

Heading into the middle of an NFL season typically means a larger injury report for almost all 32 teams. This news could not come at a better time for the 49ers as Mykel Williams is sure to create an immediate impact for Raheem Morris’ defensive unit. 

What to know about the 21 day return window

The NFL allows teams to open up the 21-day return to practice window for players on either the Injured Reserve or Physically Unable to Perform lists. This lets teams evaluate the health of their guys without them counting against the 53-man roster. Within the 21-day window, teams must reactivate the player (in this case Mykel Williams) to the roster. If they don’t, the player has to go on season-ending Injured Reserve.

This has been the plan for Williams all along and tracks with his recovery progress. Williams will not be allowed to take the field this Sunday when the 49ers take on the Denver Broncos. He will however, be eligible to play next week against the Seahawks in a crucial divisional game. A game that could likely be for first place in the NFC West. 

The Importance of having Williams back

Mykel Williams was able to log 20 total tackles as well as a sack during his rookie year, prior to injury. The 49ers produced a league low 20 sacks in the 2025 season, a number that they are on track to beat in 2026. Williams has yet to show his pass-rushing prowess in the NFL, but could begin to emerge in this Raheem Morris defense that clearly gets after the quarterback.

Besides his draft position and natural skills, the 49ers have been decimated by injuries on their defensive front. Nick Bosa pulled his calf muscle last week, rookie Romello Height has a hand injury and Sam Okuayinonu is on injured reserve. Heck, defensive tackle Alfred Collins even suffered a season-ending injury in practice heading into their Week 1 game. 

The 49ers have desperately needed players to put in that room. There is arguably no better decision than getting your second-year talent back out on the field. It may take time for Mykel Williams to ramp up after his injury, which is to be expected. For a player of his ability though, it shouldn’t be too long.

Other Key players who did not practice today

The injury report remains loaded for San Francisco. Defensive end Nick Bosa, who pulled a calf muscle, did not practice and is expected to miss a significant amount of time. That one stings for a 49ers defense that needs him as well. 

Wide receiver Mike Evans did not practice Wednesday with his rib injury. That does not necessarily mean he will miss Sunday’s game against Denver. Evans is a veteran. He does not need to be out there on a Wednesday. But it is something to monitor throughout the week.

Left tackle Trent Williams, who suffered a neck injury against the Arizona Cardinals last week, also sat out Wednesday’s practice. Running back Christian McCaffrey got his typical rest day, and Keion White did not practice while dealing with a hamstring issue.

What to watch the rest of the week

Some of these statuses are certain, and some are very much unknown. We will have to wait and see what the rest of the week looks like for players like Evans and Trent Williams before drawing conclusions about Sunday’s availability.

This is a heavy injury report for San Francisco, and that has been the typical situation so far in 2026. The 49ers are going to need as many of their guys as they can get against this Broncos team, and right now, the list of players not practicing is longer than anyone in the building wants it to be. One thing is for sure, they will not have Mykel Williams against Denver. 

With that said, there’s no need to worry. He will return from his injury soon, and will be making plays in no time for San Francisco.