49ers Activate Ricky Pearsall Jr. for Divisional Clash, Klay Kubiak Drawing Head Coach Interest
As the 49ers gear up for their divisional playoff showdown with the Seattle Seahawks, they’re getting a key weapon back on the field. Rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. is active and suited up, a welcome sight for San Francisco fans hoping to see their offense at full strength.
Pearsall, who’s been sidelined since re-aggravating a knee injury in a high-scoring Week 14 win over the Bears, hasn’t played since. Despite not running at full speed since Week 4 - when he first sustained the injury against Jacksonville - Pearsall remained optimistic throughout the week. Now, he’s officially back in the fold.
When healthy, Pearsall has shown flashes of why the 49ers used a first-round pick on him out of Florida. In just nine games this season, he’s hauled in 36 catches for 528 yards.
His biggest moments came early - a four-catch, 107-yard performance in a 22-17 win over Seattle, highlighted by a 45-yard sideline grab that helped seal the game. He also posted eight receptions for 117 yards in a win over Arizona and followed that up with an 85-yard day against Chicago before the knee flared up again.
It’s been a turbulent start to Pearsall’s NFL journey. He missed time early in his rookie season after being shot during a robbery attempt in Union Square on August 31, 2024. But when he’s been on the field, his production has been steady - 67 receptions for 928 yards and three touchdowns across 20 games.
Also active for the 49ers today are linebackers Luke Gifford and Dee Winters. Both missed last week’s wild-card win over the Eagles - Gifford with a quad injury, Winters with an ankle - but return just in time for a physical matchup with Seattle.
On the other side of the ball, the 49ers will be without starting safety Ji’Ayir Brown, who didn’t practice all week due to a hamstring strain. Rookie Marques Sigle steps into the starting role after logging eight tackles on 40 snaps in the wild-card round. It’s a big opportunity for Sigle, who’ll be tested early and often against Seattle’s vertical passing game.
Other 49ers inactives include running back Isaac Guerendo, wide receiver Jordan Watkins, defensive linemen Brandon Beal Jr., Kevin Givens, and Sebastian Valdez, as well as tackle Brandon Parker. Both Parker and Valdez were elevated from the practice squad and will still receive active roster pay - a nod to their consistent work behind the scenes.
As for Seattle, quarterback Sam Darnold is active despite dealing with an oblique strain that kept him out of Thursday and Friday practices. Darnold hasn’t missed a game due to injury in the past two seasons, and he’ll be available behind starter Drew Lock. Jalen Milroe, who dressed last week, is inactive today.
Seattle’s other inactives include linebacker Jared Ivey, offensive linemen Josh Jones and Mason Richman, defensive end Rylie Mills, and guard Bryce Cabeldue.
Klay Kubiak Emerging as Hot Coaching Candidate
While the 49ers focus on their playoff run, one of their key staffers is getting serious attention around the league. Quarterbacks coach Klay Kubiak is reportedly set to interview with both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders for their head coaching vacancies.
Kubiak, 37, comes from one of the NFL’s most respected football families. He’s the younger brother of Klint Kubiak - currently Seattle’s offensive coordinator - and son of Gary Kubiak, who led the Broncos to a Super Bowl 50 win at Levi’s Stadium and previously served as head coach of the Texans and Broncos.
Klay Kubiak has quietly become a critical piece of Kyle Shanahan’s staff in San Francisco. Shanahan himself recently praised Kubiak’s behind-the-scenes impact, calling him “as good as anyone I’ve had” and crediting him with being just as involved in game planning as the head coach himself.
One example? The now-famous “Skyy Bang Reverse Pass” - a 29-yard touchdown from wide receiver Jauan Jennings to Christian McCaffrey in the wild-card win over Philadelphia - was Kubiak’s idea.
While Shanahan still handles play-calling duties for the 49ers, Kubiak’s influence on the offensive game plan is undeniable. He’s not only in the running for top jobs in Pittsburgh and Las Vegas, but he could also be a strong candidate for offensive coordinator roles across the league. That said, if Kubiak is still under contract, San Francisco would have the right to block any lateral move.
With eight head coaching vacancies around the league, Kubiak’s name is one to watch - and if he lands a top job, it’ll be another testament to the 49ers’ deep coaching pipeline.
For now, though, the focus is on the field - and with Pearsall back in uniform and Kubiak calling the shots behind the scenes, San Francisco enters this divisional matchup with a full deck and a staff that’s drawing serious league-wide respect.