EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The San Francisco 49ers stormed into MetLife Stadium and delivered a gritty 34-24 road victory over the New York Giants on November 2, pushing their record to 6-3. But the jubilation lasted mere minutes. As confetti settled and handshakes were exchanged, a chilling injury update from head coach Kyle Shanahan turned triumph into trepidation.
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Rookie defensive lineman Mykel Williams—the 49ers’ prized 2025 first-round pick—crumpled to the turf in the third quarter, pounding his helmet in anguish as trainers rushed to his side. After a tense evaluation in the blue medical tent, Williams limped to the locker room under his own power, but the sight sent shockwaves through the Niners’ sideline.
Postgame, Shanahan didn’t sugarcoat it.
“We’re worried it’s an ACL,” the coach told reporters, his voice heavy. “You never know until tomorrow… He’s just down. I told him, ‘If it’s the worst, it sucks for this year—but you’ll be back next year, and it won’t affect you long-term.’”
The potential loss of Williams is a gut punch to an already decimated defensive front. Nick Bosa is out for the season with a torn ACL. Bryce Huff remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. Yetur Gross-Matos was placed on injured reserve just 24 hours before kickoff. Now, the rookie who was supposed to be the future of the pass rush may be lost too.
Quarterback Mac Jones, who threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns in the win, was visibly shaken on the sideline.
“I was pissed,” Jones admitted. “Didn’t know who it was at first—then I saw Mykel. Just prayed for him. He’s walking, so hopefully it’s not as bad as it looked.”
Trade Deadline Looming: Trey Hendrickson in Play?
With the NFL trade deadline 48 hours away (November 4), the 49ers’ war room is in full crisis mode. GM John Lynch has already swung one deal—acquiring Keion White from the Patriots—and signed veteran Clelin Ferrell to the practice squad. But sources say more help is needed.
Enter Trey Hendrickson.
The Bengals’ star pass rusher, who leads the NFL with 11.5 sacks, was considered untouchable just a week ago. But on November 2, FOX Sports insider Jay Glazer dropped a bombshell:
“A week ago, Cincinnati said ‘hard no.’ Now? Multiple GMs are telling me the Bengals are saying ‘yes’—if the price is right.”
Hendrickson, 30, is under contract through 2025 but has reportedly grown frustrated in Cincinnati. A trade to San Francisco would reunite him with defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, who coached him in Detroit.
Next Man Up—or Next Man Traded For?
The 49ers’ depth chart at edge rusher now reads like a MASH unit:
- Robert Beal Jr. (elevated from practice squad)
- Keion White (newly acquired)
- Austin Bryant (practice squad call-up)
If Williams’ MRI confirms an ACL tear on Monday, expect Lynch to be aggressive before Tuesday’s 4:00 p.m. ET deadline. The cost for Hendrickson? Likely a 2026 first-round pick and change—painful, but perhaps necessary for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
For now, the 49ers celebrate a hard-fought win. But the shadow of another season-altering injury looms large—and the clock is ticking.