The San Francisco 49ers have placed NT Ian Williams on the reserve/non-football injury list, per Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. The move makes room on the 90-man roster for OT Anthony Davis' return to the team following his reinstatement into the NFL.
#49ers add Anthony Davis to roster, put NT Ian Williams on reserve/non-football-injury list
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) July 30, 2016
The placement of Williams on the injury list is a season-ending move according to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area and a "huge blow" to the 49ers who had hoped to have Williams available at some point this season. "It is not known how Williams sustained the non-football injury in the offseason," reports Maiocco. The 49ers defense had already lost edge defender Aaron Lynch for four games due to a suspension. Williams and Lynch were the team's top two defenders in 2015 per Pro Football Focus.
Huge blow for the #49ers to place NT Ian Williams on reserve/NFI due to his offseason ankle injury/surgery. He is out for the season.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) July 30, 2016
In March, Williams, who was about to become a free agent, agreed to a new five-year contract with the 49ers. That contract was believed to pay Williams between $5 and $6 million per year. However, when his availability for the 49ers' season opener in September came into question, that contract was replaced by a one-year deal.
Following a physical, it was determined that Williams' rehab from surgery on his left leg would require more time than originally believed. The base salary on his new deal is $1 million with bonuses that bring the cap hit for the 49ers to $4 million. The contract allows the 49ers to evaluate Williams for another season, but will once again make him a free agent in 2017. Prior to the extent of the injury becoming better known, Williams was considered one of the top interior defender free agents.
RELATED Anthony Davis officially reinstated and reports to 49ers today
Williams missed 21 of 32 games from in 2013 and 2014 because of a leg fracture in each of the two seasons. He 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.
Ian Williams finished 2015 as our ninth ranked DT (+24.4) and sixth vs. run (+23.9). Health was a question but that's a huge blow. #49ers
— Jeff Deeney (@PFF_Jeff) July 30, 2016
