Mykel Williams will play against the Seahawks; Upton Stout questionable – NBC Sports Bay Area and California

SANTA CLARA — Coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t believe it will take long for defensive lineman Mykel Williams to get up to speed and improve on what he showed in his first nine games as a rookie.

“This is the beginning,” Shanahan said on 49ers Game plan. “When you tear your ACL, it’s such a long road back to just playing.”

Williams, the 49ers’ first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, did not get a chance to play a full season. He will make his season debut Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

The 49ers released defensive lineman Ogbo Okoronkwo on Friday to make room for Williams, who will be activated Saturday. Okoronkwo could be back at 49ers practice on Saturday.

Williams is listed as questionable, but coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Friday that he will return for the 49ers.

Four more players were ruled out of the Week 5 game due to injuries on Friday: guard Kyle Juszczyk (knee), defensive linemen Nick Bosa (knee, calf) and James Thompson Jr. (ankle) and safety Marques Sigle (ankle).

Defensive back Upton Stout, who injured his shoulder in the 49ers’ Week 4 game against the Denver Broncos, is listed as questionable against Seattle.

Shanahan said he saw a lot of improvement in Williams from his first game as a rookie to where he was when his freshman season ended with his right knee injury. Williams hasn’t played a game since Nov. 2, when he was injured against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

“He’s completely healthy,” Shanahan said of Williams. “He looked great in these two weeks of practice, to the point where he looks like the same guy. And now it’s time to go out and play.

“I know there will be a little rust, as there always is when you haven’t played in a long time. But as long as he does the work, as long as he doesn’t get hurt and he can stay out there week to week, he’ll continue to improve. And he’ll be where he was really fast, and then I’ll let that go sooner or later.”

49ers injury report for Week 5 in Seattle:

OUT

FB Kyle Juszczyk (knee)

DE Nick Bosa (knee, calf)

DT James Thompson (ankle)

S Brands Acronym (ankle)

Questionable

DB Upton Stout (shoulder)

DE Mykel Williams (knee)

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