In a stunning turn of events following the San Francisco 49ers’ hard-fought victory over the Tennessee Titans, head coach Kyle Shanahan delivered a sobering injury update that has left the Niners faithful reeling. While the team celebrated a crucial win that bolstered their playoff hopes, the spotlight quickly shifted to wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, whose re-aggravated PCL injury, compounded by a fresh ankle sprain, has cast a shadow over the squad’s momentum. This revelation, dropped during Shanahan’s Monday afternoon press conference, is the kind of news no 49ers fan wanted to hear as the season hurtles toward its climax.
Pearsall, who has been a bright spot in an otherwise turbulent year for the 49ers’ receiving corps, re-aggravated his PCL during the game—a painful setback reminiscent of the injury that sidelined him earlier in the season. Adding insult to injury, quite literally, is a low ankle sprain that occurred in the same contest. Shanahan didn’t mince words, expressing “concern” over the combination of ailments. “I mean, there is a concern,” Shanahan admitted. “Just dealing and seeing how those have gone this year. The ankle was a tough ankle injury, but that it checked out that it wasn’t a high [sprain] and he was able to get through the game is somewhat encouraging.”
The coach elaborated on the PCL issue, drawing parallels to quarterback Mac Jones’ similar experience. “Mac aggravated his PCL and when you land on that it’s real painful for a while, but it can go away,” Shanahan explained. He highlighted a pivotal third-down play late in the game that helped secure a three-score lead, noting that Pearsall landed awkwardly on his knee during the sequence. While Shanahan emphasized that this aggravation isn’t as severe as Pearsall’s initial PCL tear, the dual injuries mean the young receiver may sit out practice this week. His availability for the upcoming matchup remains uncertain, with Shanahan refusing to rule him out but stressing the need for the pain to subside over the next eight days.
This bombshell comes at a precarious time for the 49ers, who have battled a barrage of injuries throughout the 2025 season. Pearsall’s grit in pushing through the pain to contribute to the Titans win was commendable, but fans are now bracing for the possibility of his absence in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. The wideout’s resilience has been a fan favorite storyline, making this update all the more disheartening.
Amid the gloom surrounding Pearsall, however, the 49ers received some encouraging news on other fronts. Left guard Spencer Burford, who exited the fourth quarter of the Titans game with knee and ankle concerns, appears to have dodged a major bullet. Shanahan reported that Burford’s injuries “checked out pretty good,” avoiding the dreaded high-ankle sprain that has plagued several teammates. Burford is expected to return to practice this week, with Connor Colby stepping in admirably for the final drive.
The team is also optimistic about ramping up the returns of several key defenders. Linebackers Tatum Bethune (high-ankle sprain) and Eric Kendricks (calf) are hoped to rejoin practice sessions, along with edge rusher Sam Okuayinonu (high-ankle sprain). Shanahan tempered expectations, noting the uncertainty of their readiness: “We’re not sure how they’re going to look. So, we’ll get them in there, see how it goes.” Linebacker Nick Martin, meanwhile, remains in concussion protocol, adding to the defensive depth challenges that forced the team to poach players from other squads recently.
On the offensive side, wide receiver Jacob Cowing’s practice window is slated to open ahead of the Bears game, provided he’s fully healthy—a timeline Shanahan reiterated from last week. Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, who dealt with “knee irritation” during pre-game warmups, will also practice. Even practice squad standout Sebastian Valdez earned praise, receiving game checks the past two weeks for his dedication, despite not suiting up.
As for wide receiver Jordan Watkins, Shanahan’s comments were more pointed, suggesting the depth player needs to elevate his practice performance to crack the game-day rotation. Watkins has been inactive for weeks, buried on the chart amid the team’s receiver shuffle.
The 49ers’ win over Tennessee was a testament to their resilience, but this injury update serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of NFL success. With the playoffs looming, San Francisco fans are holding their breath on Pearsall’s recovery timeline. Will he bounce back in time to fuel the offense, or will this aggravation derail his promising season? As Shanahan put it, the pain “can go away,” but for now, it’s a waiting game that no one in the Bay Area is enjoying.
Stay tuned for more updates as the 49ers prepare for their showdown with the Bears. The team’s depth will be tested, but if the positive vibes around Burford and the returning defenders hold, there might just be light at the end of this injury-riddled tunnel.
