MetLife Stadium once again proved unkind to the San Francisco 49ers. What appeared to be a relatively injury-free game against the New York Giants took a devastating turn late in the fourth quarter.
Rookie defensive lineman Mykel Williams, the 49ers' first-round draft pick, went down with an injury and was visibly distraught, pounding his helmet in frustration as medical staff tended to him. After being evaluated in the blue tent, Williams slowly made his way to the locker room.
Mykel Williams walked off the field under his own power after appearing to injure his knee
(via @NFLonCBS) pic.twitter.com/AGJQSuKJcM
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) November 2, 2025
Mykel Williams heads to the locker room 🙏 pic.twitter.com/dxEOlSPRdi
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) November 2, 2025
Head coach Kyle Shanahan offered an early update following the 49ers' 34-24 win over the Giants, expressing concern that Williams may have suffered a significant knee injury.
"We're worried it's an ACL, but you never know until tomorrow," Shanahan told reporters.
Shanahan spoke to Williams after the game.
"He's just down," the coach said. "You never know, so I said, 'Hopefully, it's not the worst, but if it is, hey, that sucks for this year, but that's all that sucks for you. You'll be back next year, and this won't affect you at all.'"
If confirmed, it would mark another significant blow to a San Francisco defensive line already hit hard by injuries. The 49ers have lost Nick Bosa to a torn ACL, while Bryce Huff remains sidelined with a hamstring issue. Yetur Gross-Matos was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. Losing Williams — one of the team's most promising young defenders — would further test the unit's depth.
"I don't know what the severity of it was, but I was definitely pissed," quarterback Mac Jones said. "I was sitting there just getting ready to go back in, and I didn't know who it was. And [then], I was like, 'Oh, Mykel—I hope he's OK.' So just prayed for him, and I know he's walking around and stuff, so hopefully he's doing better."
The 49ers recently traded for Keion White and signed Clelin Ferrell to the practice squad, hoping to bolster the defensive front. Ferrell was elevated for Sunday's game and made an impact with a sack against the Giants.
Despite the growing injury concerns, San Francisco improved to 6-3 on the season with the road win.