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Top Joe Williams News
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49ers' Joe Williams: Cut loose
Williams (ribs) is getting cut by the 49ers, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports.
Though he's reportedly making progress with his rib injury, Williams missed out on his chance to push for a spot on the 53-man roster. Coach Kyle Shanahan famously lobbied for the Niners to select Williams in the fourth round of last year's draft, but undrafted free agent Matt Breida (shoulder) turned out to be the team's rookie gem in the backfield. It won't be too surprising if Williams draws some interest around the league.
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49ers' Joe Williams: Out for a while
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Williams suffered a rib fracture that will sideline him for "a while," ESPN's Nick Wagoner reports.
Williams will at least miss Week 1, according to Shanahan, who updated the media regarding his team's injuries Sunday night. The coach continued by saying it hasn't been determined whether Williams will be placed on injured reserve/designated to return, but it's clear the Niners will have to make do without him until further notice. With Williams joining fellow tailbacks Jerick McKinnon (calf) and Matt Breida (shoulder) on the shelf for the rest of the preseason, Jeremy McNichols, Alfred Morris, Raheem Mostert and Jeffery Wilson will split backfield work the next couple weeks.
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49ers' Joe Williams: Suffers rib injury
Head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that Williams sustained a rib fracture in Saturday's preseason loss to Houston and will miss the beginning of the regular season, ESPN's Nick Wagoner reports.
The injury comes at a tough time for Williams, who was in the thick of a competition to win a backup role with the 49ers this year after spending his entire rookie season on IR. The team hasn't decided whether they will place Williams on IR, but the early out designation for Week 1 is not a promising sign. Either way, Williams' health may ultimately decide his fate for the second consecutive preseason.
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49ers' Joe Williams: Fails to impress Saturday
Williams carried the ball eight times for 18 yards Saturday, adding a pair of receptions for another 14 yards in a preseason loss to Houston.
Williams was the second back to enter the contest after Jeremy McNichols started and played the entire first half. Both backs failed to impress, averaging under three yards per carry even with the Texans sitting their top two defensive linemen. Williams' inability to produce big gains in his first two preseason games should keep special teams ace Raheem Mostert in the lead for the 49ers' competition for third on the depth chart. That said, a lot can change over the final two weeks of the preseason, especially once Alfred Morris -- who didn't receive a carry after joining the team earlier this week -- enters the fray.
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49ers' Joe Williams: Scores touchdown Thursday
Williams carried the ball 11 times for 27 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's preseason win over Dallas. He also secured two of three targets for 15 yards.
Williams didn't have a strong game from a yards-per-carry standpoint, but he has received positive reviews in camp for an improved work ethic following a disappointing rookie season. The 24-year-old has been competing with Raheem Mostert for No. 3 on the 49ers' depth chart, but Matt Breida's shoulder injury could turn it into a battle for the primary backup role if the latter is forced to miss extended time.
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49ers' Joe Williams: Looks improved
San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Williams looks much better than he did last season, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. "I think [Williams] has a different mindset - understands a little bit more the standard of the NFL and difference," Shanahan said Tuesday. "Joe's come a long way. I think his body looks a lot better than it did last year. He put on a lot of muscle mass and he took advantage of the year of not playing."
Shanahan reportedly lobbied the San Francisco front office to draft Williams in the fourth round in 2017, perhaps believing the Utah product could push Carlos Hyde for a starting job. Instead, Williams failed to make an impression during the offseason program and training camp, ultimately landing on injured reserve after hurting his ankle in the final week of the preseason. The 24-year-old made a full recovery before the end of his rookie campaign, but the 49ers didn't lift his IR designation and opted to stick with Hyde and undrafted rookie Matt Breida in the backfield. Hyde has since been replaced by Jerick McKinnon, who signed a four-year, $30 million contract that includes $11.7 million guaranteed. Williams may have a chance to compete with Breida for the backup role, but a roster spot isn't guaranteed. The Niners carried special teams ace Raheem Mostert (knee) as their No. 3 back last season, and they also brought in 2017 fifth-round pick Jeremy McNichols to compete for a job.
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49ers' Joe Williams: Will have to earn roster spot
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Williams will have to "beat guys out" in order to maintain a spot on the 49ers' 53-man roster this upcoming season, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Williams spent the entire season on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury late in camp. The athletic back impressed Shanahan on tape, but the 49ers' head coach was clear in stating the urgent nature for the 24-year-old to beat out his competition to earn his spot on this team following the acquisition of Jerick McKinnon this offseason and the emergence of undrafted free agent Matt Breida this past year. Williams was even mentioned as a potential special teams candidate, which is a huge step back after he was expected to be part of a strong running back tandem alongside Carlos Hyde before getting injured. Plenty of things could change between now and the start of next season, but third on the depth chart seems like a best-case scenario for Williams, which would certainly eliminate any potential fantasy value for the raw talent.
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49ers' Joe Williams: Recovered from ankle injury
Williams (ankle) would be healthy enough to play if the 49ers hadn't already made the decision to hold him out for the season, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
The 2017 fourth-round pick was at one point viewed as a candidate to push Carlos Hyde for the starting job, but a real competition never materialized, and undrafted rookie Matt Breida appeared to lock down the No. 2 spot on the depth chart in August. Williams then injured his ankle in the preseason finale, with the Niners subsequently opting to place him on injured reserve. He should be in the mix for a role next season, though Hyde hinted at a desire to return to San Francisco with his recent statement about the team contending for a Super Bowl next season, per Curtis Pashelka of the San Jose Mercury News. Optimism aside, Hyde will hit the open market if he doesn't agree to a new contract with the 49ers before the free-agency period opens in March. Williams should be a full participant when the offseason program begins in April.
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49ers' Joe Williams: Placed on injured reserve
The 49ers are placing Williams (ankle) on injured reserve, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports.
This doesn't necessarily mean the injury is serious; the 49ers may just be glad to keep their 2017 fourth-round pick without having to use a spot on the 53-man roster. Initially hyped as a candidate to earn a major role, Williams struggled with ball security and learning the offense throughout training camp and the preseason, while undrafted rookie Matt Breida proved to be a quick study. Breida presumably will enter the season as Carlos Hyde's top backup, with Raheem Mostert holding the No. 3 spot on the depth chart. Williams is still an intriguing asset in dynasty leagues, as Hyde can become a free agent after the season.
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49ers' Joe Williams: Exits with ankle injury
Williams injured his ankle during Thursday's preseason finale against the Chargers, Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Prior to his early exit, Williams gained 53 yards on 10 carries but also lost a fumble. He struggled with ball security in college and again during training camp, perhaps thwarting his own bid for a significant role in the San Francisco backfield. With Tim Hightower also failing to impress this preseason, undrafted rookie Matt Breida has a shot to open the season as Carlos Hyde's top backup.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 5-11, 205 lbs |
| Age: 31 |
| School: Utah |
| Experience: 2 |