The San Francisco 49ers announced the team has activated NT Ian Williams from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform List.

Williams was a bright spot for the San Francisco 49ers in the early stages of 2013.

The 6-foot-1, 305-pound nose tackle, however, had his moment abruptly taken away with a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2 of the regular season.

Williams, an undrafted fourth-year pro, earned San Francisco's starting nose tackle position following a challenging training camp battle with incoming veteran Glenn Dorsey. In fact, Williams was practically the talk of camp for the 49ers defense.

"Ian has been amazing so far," six-time Pro Bowl inside linebacker Joe Staley said on July 30, 2013. "He's been a part of the system for a while now, but to step into a starting role like he has so far… he's been unbelievable." Williams was solid in his first NFL start in the 2013 season opener, but the athletic nose tackle did not finish San Francisco's road loss in Seattle. A cut-block in the first half by Seahawks right guard J.R. Sweezy fractured Williams' left ankle and ended his promising season.

"It was hard," Williams told 49ers.com last February. "I'm not going to sugarcoat it or anything like that. It was hard not being able to contribute. But in the long run, while I was home watching the games, I was able to think about a lot and get ready for next season."

Williams could be in line to practice with the 49ers when they resume training camp practices in Santa Clara on Wednesday.