Friday update: Williams ruled out against Denver
Updated October 2, 2026: The 49ers ruled Williams out for their Week 4 game against Denver after limited participation in all three practices. Week 5 remains his earliest eligible return; Friday’s report did not announce an activation.
Nick Bosa and James Thompson Jr. were also ruled out. Keion White returned to limited practice Friday and is questionable, so Williams’ practice return does not resolve the defensive line’s immediate availability problems.
The San Francisco 49ers opened Mykel Williams’ practice window Wednesday, giving the defensive lineman a path back from last season’s torn ACL while leaving his Week 4 status unchanged.
Reports on Wednesday indicated that Williams remains on the physically unable to perform list and cannot play Sunday against the Denver Broncos. His earliest possible appearance is Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Wednesday’s preliminary practice report listed Williams as limited with a knee injury. The move follows Kyle Shanahan’s announcement Monday that the team planned to open his window this week.
Why PUP practice can begin before game eligibility
A 2026 rule change lets a player on reserve/PUP begin his 21-day practice window after his team’s second regular-season game. He must still miss the first four games before activation. Practicing before Week 5 therefore does not, by itself, mean Williams can play sooner.
The 21 days give San Francisco time to evaluate him without an immediate move to the active roster. The team must activate him before the window expires for him to return this season. Eligibility for Week 5 is the earliest possibility, not a promise that he will be ready then.
The distinction between practicing and returning to games matters for a depleted defensive front. Reports on Wednesday indicated that Nick Bosa and James Thompson Jr. will not play against Denver, while Keion White’s availability remains uncertain.
What has to happen before Williams can play?
- Practice window opens: This happened Wednesday, September 30. It starts a 21-day evaluation period, not an automatic promotion to the active roster.
- The four-game minimum is completed: The 2026 rules allow earlier practice, but reserve/PUP activation is permitted only after the club’s fourth regular-season game.
- San Francisco activates him: Eligibility alone does not complete that roster move. Williams still needs activation before a game return; his limited practice workload is not proof he is ready to play.
For readers tracking his return, the next decisive development is an activation announcement followed by the relevant game-status report. A practice listing and a projected Week 5 return should not be treated as confirmation that he will play.
Thursday update: Williams limited again, Evans still out of practice
On October 1, Williams was a limited participant for a second consecutive practice. Nick Bosa, James Thompson Jr. and Keion White remained non-participants. Those Thursday participation levels describe the practice session; they are not new game-status designations.
Mike Evans did not practice for a second straight day because of his ribs, so Wednesday’s hope of a return to practice had not yet materialized. Trent Williams moved from no participation to limited, while Christian McCaffrey returned to full participation after a rest day.
The receiver group also changed Thursday with Brandin Cooks’ promotion to the active roster and KhaDarel Hodge’s release. That move adds a roster option without settling Evans’ availability against Denver.
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