San Francisco 49ers defensive end Mykel Williams returned to action Sunday for the first time since suffering an ACL injury last season. He played 23 defensive snaps and eight on special teams, recording two tackles in the 49ers' 32-29 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Williams didn't make a big splash in his 2026 debut, but his return boosted a defensive front that has lost several players to injury. His 50.4 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus was the lowest among 49ers defenders, and he recorded just one pressure on 13 pass-rush snaps. However, he earned a solid 71.4 tackle grade.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan recognized the significance of Williams' return and the importance of getting him back on the field as he works toward becoming a key contributor.
Speaking with reporters during a conference call Monday, Shanahan was asked whether Williams' performance over 23 defensive snaps matched the coaching staff's expectations.
"Yeah, that was our goal to get him around that area," Shanahan said. "I thought he did a real good job. It was a real good first game back. He didn't have any bad plays.
"He had two good plays of sniffing out a screen twice. I thought he had a real good first step for him coming back."
Shanahan didn't mention Williams in his postgame injury updates or during Monday's conference call, suggesting the defensive lineman had no setbacks in his first game back.
Williams will have an opportunity to build on that performance when the 49ers host the Washington Commanders in Week 6.
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