49ers rookie turns into extra essential after newest Bosa harm
San Francisco 49ers rookie defensive finish Mykel Williams is off to a promising begin. Nonetheless, they want a bit extra from the Georgia product after receiving dangerous Nick Bosa information on Monday.
Bosa suffered a knee harm in Sunday’s 16-15 residence win over the Arizona Cardinals. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan believed the DE averted an ACL tear, however a take a look at revealed in any other case. He’ll now want season-ending surgical procedure, by way of ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
How Bosa’s harm impacts 49ers’ protection
Bosa, 27, is the 49ers’ greatest defensive participant. The previous Ohio State star gained Defensive Participant of the Yr in the course of the 2022 season.
The five-time Professional Bowler was off to a different quick begin in 2025. By three video games, he was tied with DE Bryce Huff for the staff lead in sacks (two) and ranked fourth in whole tackles (17).
What can Williams do to make up for the lack of Bosa?
Williams — the eleventh choose of the 2025 NFL Draft — has primarily served as a run-stopper for the Niners. By three video games, the DE has logged three stuffs. (A stuff is a sort out on a run play for no achieve or damaging yardage.)
The 2022 nationwide champion hasn’t proven a lot within the pass-rushing division, although. He has but to report a sack. Per Professional Soccer Focus, Williams has simply 5 pressures on 130 snaps. Nevertheless, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh believes this ability will emerge in due time.
“He will make his residing, no less than whereas we’re right here, being a first- and second-down run defender on the skin after which speeding the passer on the within,” Saleh advised the media after a Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks. “We expect he can rush the passer outdoors, too, however we additionally assume that he might be an elite inside pass-rusher, which could be very exhausting to search out. These guys are uncommon. Much more uncommon than an edge man.”
Among the best inside pass-rushers within the NFL is Kansas Metropolis Chiefs defensive sort out Chris Jones, a six-time Professional Bowler. If Williams turns into the same participant, that will undoubtedly assist the 49ers (3-0) handle whereas Bosa recovers. And it will make their protection much more formidable when he returns subsequent season.
