Ricky

Pearsall

Unsurprising given that he entered this week looking like he was one big hit from being sidelined again as he continues to battle through the knee injury that defined his season. After a breakout first three weeks where he crossed 100 yards twice, Pearsall spent the rest of the season dealing with a PCL injury and never seemed fully healthy again. We wouldn’t be surprised if he pops up with an offseason surgery. Nevertheless, his age-26 season in 2026 looks to be in a great spot if he can rehab this and get to Week 1 healthy. Brandon Aiyuk looks likely to be released. George Kittle will be rehabbing his torn Achilles early in the season. Jauan Jennings is not a guarantee to be back. Pearsall looks like a WR2 candidate as one of the trustable targets in a Kyle Shanahan offense. “Get to Week 1 healthy,” of course, is not a minor ask for Pearsall based on his first two seasons.

Pearsall was questionable coming into the game, but he had been getting in limited practices, so he had been trending towards playing. It’s a nice boost for a 49ers offense that will be without George Kittle (Achilles). The 49ers inactives are: S Ji’Ayir Brown, RB Isaac Guerendo, WR Jordan Watkins, DE Robert Beal Jr., DT Kevin Givens, DT Sebastian Valdez, and OT Brandon Parker.

Pearsall has been practicing in a limited capacity this week. He was entirely unable to practice last week, so the increased participation is a positive sign. Pearsall aggravated the PCL sprain in his knee at the end of a 30-yard play against the Bears in Week 18. He told reporters that he “landed straight on [his] knee,” and he “just can’t take tackles like that right now.” Instead, he must “adjust a little bit within [his] game.” Getting out of bounds would have been the “wiser move.” Pearsall is seemingly on track to play, but he may be stuck running vertical routes along the sideline.

Pearsall is listed as limited for the second straight day to start the week. He missed the 49ers’ Wild Card win over the Eagles and has dealt with knee issues throughout the season. Thursday’s final practice report will give a more concrete answer but Pearsall is at least practicing and trending to return in the Divisional Round against the Seahawks.

The San Francisco Standard’s David Lombardi adds that Pearsall “plans to operate at full speed during practice today.” Lombardi’s wording is tricky to parse. The 49ers used GPS tracking to determine whether Pearsall had returned to form before allowing him to resume playing earlier this year. Lombardi could be referencing this, or whether Pearsall is restricted in his practice participation level. We will check back later today. Stay tuned.

It will be a walkthrough, and coaches do not have a perfect record of what they say winding up being the injury report truth. Still, it’s a good sign for Pearsall’s availability against the Seahawks in the Divisional Round to have any momentum towards the limited line after three straight DNPs and a wishful thinking questionable tag. Pearsall has not played since Week 17.

Pearsall was listed as questionable on Friday but did not practice once this week, meaning he was always a long shot to suit up. Demarcus Robinson will continue to operate as the team’s No. 2 receiver opposite Jauan Jennings this week.

Pearsall did not practice at any point this week. We’d characterize Pearsall as on the pessimistic side of questionable, though we’re sure the 49ers will give him every chance to get active in a must-win playoff game. The 49ers wideout has not played since aggravating his PCL sprain in Week 17.

Pearsall is now on the wrong side of questionable for the 49ers’ Wild Card Round game against the Eagles. The 49ers’ talented route runner aggravated his PCL sprain in Week 17 against the Bears and was unable to play on it last week. It is possible that the team is just taking it easy with him, but things are not looking good.

Darn. Per Shanahan, Pearsall aggravated the PCL sprain in his knee during the 49ers’ Week 17 win over the Bears. He was unable to play in Week 18 against the Seahawks, though “he did participate in the 49ers’ 3 light practice sessions last week.” Hopefully, Pearsall resumes practicing tomorrow. Pearsall was recently listed with an ankle injury as well. The 49ers have not yet released the official injury report, so we do not know whether that is also an issue this week. 49ers beat reports on the matter vary.