San Francisco 49ers

49ers reportedly cut $21M off Ian Williams' deal over injury concerns

Published Mar. 21, 2016 5:10 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

The San Francisco 49ers and defensive tackle Ian Williams had the deal in place -- a five-year, $27.5 million contract. Then Williams failed his physical, and everything changed.

The club opted to give Williams a one-year deal that could be worth up to $6 million after repeated concerns over his ankles, ESPN reported Monday. Williams, whose status for the 49ers' 2016 opener is still in doubt after undergoing ankle surgery after the season, had a career-high 65 tackles and played in all 16 games last season.

Williams has spent his first five seasons in the NFL with the 49ers.