Mykel Williams Is Back and the 49ers Are Acting Like Their Run D Needs Saving

The San Francisco 49ers cut defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo on Friday, a move that screams they are clearing the path for second-year defensive end Mykel Williams to make his return. This isn’t just a minor roster shuffle; it’s a huge tell about what the Niners think of their defensive front, even with a 4-0 start.

The Run Defense Is the Real Story Here

Mykel Williams is still on the PUP list, but he’s eligible to return in Week 5. That’s big, because this guy was a first-round pick last season and he was really starting to become a problem on the D-line before he tore his ACL in Week 9 against the New York Giants. He’s got that sick versatility to play both end and interior, which gives their defensive line some much-needed options, especially since that unit’s been thin. But the real game-changer for them? It’s his ability to just shut down the run. We all saw their run defense just crater after he went down last year, right? They’ve definitely pulled off enough stops to roll to a 4-0 start this season, but let’s be real, that “shoddy run defense” they’ve been rocking isn’t going to cut it for an entire season. Last season, Williams racked up 20 tackles, four tackles for loss, and 1.0 sacks. So yeah, they’re banking on him for a serious boost.

What Okoronkwo’s Release Actually Means

So what about Okoronkwo? He actually played in their first four games, even snagging one start. He had two tackles, three quarterback hits, and 1.0 sacks. Nothing crazy, but he was out there. Since he’s a vested veteran, he got an outright release, which means he’s not hitting waivers. The wild part is, San Francisco could theoretically bring him right back onto their practice squad and then elevate him for Sunday’s game with their Saturday roster moves. It just goes to show you how much they want Williams back.

Williams is set to be eligible in Week 5, and it feels like the 49ers are hoping he’s the missing piece to shore up that run defense before it becomes a real problem for their 4-0 start. Keep an eye on that Week 5 debut, folks.

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Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.