49ers activate Trent Williams; 2 players elevated from practice squad

The San Francisco 49ers activated Trent Williams to the active roster ahead of Monday night’s showdown against the New York Jets. The team released offensive tackle Brandon Parker to make room for Williams.

Williams is a game-changer. Christian McCaffrey had one of the highest yards before contact per attempt in the NFL when Williams was on the field. That number dipped from 2.3 (third-highest in the NFL) to 1.83. Brock Purdy’s interception rate tripled without Williams on the field or in games when he didn’t play more than half of the snaps.

I’ve been saying it since 2020, and Nick Bosa is the only argument, but Williams is the best player on the Niners. He allows them to do so much more through the air and on the ground than they’d be able to if they had average-level left tackle play.

In addition, defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu and safety Tracy Walker III were elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for tonight’s game. Walker will be a special teamer, while George Odum figures to start in Talanoa Hufanga’s place.

Okuayinonu can cover punts and kicks, but it’ll be interesting to see if the defense has enough confidence in him to rotate Okuayinonu into the defensive line rotation. Yetur Gross-Matos is doubtful, which means Leonard Floyd, Bosa, and 2023 fifth-round pick Robert Beal Jr. are your edge rushers.