The San Francisco 49ers are heading back to the postseason-and they’ve done it the hard way.
Despite being hit hard by injuries throughout the year, Kyle Shanahan’s squad has officially clinched a playoff berth. The ticket was punched after the Detroit Lions fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 29-24 battle, clearing the path for San Francisco to lock in their spot.
And while the playoff berth was earned on the field, it didn’t go unnoticed off it. Kristin Juszczyk, wife of 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, took to Instagram to celebrate the moment, praising the team's resilience through a season that’s been anything but smooth.
“These boys are so deserving! Couldn't be more proud!!
What a rollercoaster of a year!” she wrote-capturing the sentiment of a fanbase that’s ridden every twist and turn with this team.
Injuries Pile Up, But the 49ers Keep Rolling
The 49ers haven’t had the luxury of a healthy roster this season. Starting quarterback Brock Purdy missed time early on after suffering a toe injury in the opener. That forced the team to turn to backup Mac Jones, who managed to steady the ship and keep the team competitive.
Last week, with Purdy back under center, the 49ers looked like a team on a mission. In a statement win over the Tennessee Titans, they extended their winning streak to four games with a 37-24 victory. Purdy was sharp, completing 23 of 30 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns-reminding everyone why this offense hums when he’s at the controls.
But the quarterback position isn’t the only one that’s been hit. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who signed a massive four-year, $120 million deal in 2024, has been sidelined with a torn ACL and MCL.
He hasn’t played since the injury and was recently placed on the reserve/left squad list. Adding another twist, the team voided the guaranteed money in his contract last month.
When asked about Aiyuk’s status, Shanahan didn’t mince words.
“We haven't seen him in forever,” Shanahan said. “That's the decision they make.
It's been pretty simple for me. I haven't seen him in a month.
It hasn't been an issue with our team at all. We've been plugging away.
No big deal. It's something we've been used to for a while.”
That’s been the theme of the 49ers’ season-next man up, no excuses. And so far, it’s working.
Shanahan’s Message: Always Play to the Whistle
As the team prepares for a Week 16 showdown against the Indianapolis Colts, Shanahan is drilling in one key message: don’t assume anything when the ball is on the ground.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Shanahan shared a story from his early days in the league to emphasize why players should always go after a loose ball-whistle or not.
“I remember when I first got in the league, and I think we scrimmaged New Orleans-there were just obvious incompletions on the ground and defensive guys were running and jumping on it,” Shanahan recalled.
“But it was actually Denver versus the Chargers-Jay Cutler fumbled a ball on the pass. They blew a whistle and the Chargers recovered it and the game should have been over, there was like a minute left.
But because they blew the whistle, they weren’t allowed to give it to the Chargers. And since that day I realized that, even if you blow the whistle, you get the ball if someone recovered it.”
It’s a lesson in situational awareness-something Shanahan has always emphasized. And with playoff football looming, those small details can swing games.
What’s Next
The 49ers will face the Colts on Monday night at 8:15 p.m. ET, and while the postseason berth is secured, the work is far from over.
This team knows what it’s capable of when healthy-and even when it’s not. The goal now is to keep building momentum, stay sharp, and get as close to full strength as possible before the real grind begins in January.
For a team that’s battled through adversity all season, the playoffs aren’t just a destination-they’re a statement.