On March 9, Williams and the 49ers agreed to a new five-year contract that would have kept him with the team until 2020 and paid him between $5 million to $6 million annually. However, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported earlier today that Williams has undergone more than one ankle surgery, which has left his availability for the 49ers' September season opener in question.
49ers DT Ian Williams has undergone more than one ankle surgery that has left his status for the season opener in question, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2016
Following a physical, it was determined that Williams' rehab from surgery on his left leg would require more time than originally believed. In response to this, the 49ers and Williams' have agreed to shorten his contract by four years. ESPN is reporting that the new one-year deal is worth up to $6 million.
After Ian Williams could not pass physical, he and 49ers redid their 5-year, $27.5M contract and created a 1-year deal worth up to $6M.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2016
Williams missed 21 of 32 games from in 2013 and 2014 because of a leg fracture in each of the two seasons. Earlier this month, he re-signed with the 49ers on the brink of becoming an unrestricted free agent and was considered to be the team's top free agent talent.
Williams missed 21 of 32 games from 2013-14 because of leg fractures. #49ers https://t.co/I6olxLQHwz
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) March 21, 2016
Williams, who is just 26 years old, became a starter in 2014, but the fractured leg ended his season after nine games. He started all 16 games for the 49ers in 2015 and underwent a follow-up procedure upon completion of the season.
Williams joined the 49ers as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame in 2011.
Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reports the following in his latest update.
Both sides knew it was a possibility that the rehab might take more time, and Williams is excited to return to the 49ers on the new one-year deal, a source said. The original agreement was never signed and submitted to the NFL.
News of the injury was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter and first explained in detail by CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco.
Given the news of Ian Williams, the #49ers' Week 1 starting defensive line could be: LDE Arik Armstead, NT Mike Purcell, RDE Quinton Dial.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 21, 2016
