The San Francisco 49ers didn’t hit the practice field yesterday, but they still released a projected injury report - and all eyes were on wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. After missing the final two games of the regular season, including the finale against Seattle, Pearsall was listed as a “limited” participant in Tuesday’s walkthrough. That designation alone was enough to spark optimism about his availability for Saturday’s divisional round matchup.
Now, there’s even more reason for hope. According to reports, Pearsall is expected to go full speed in practice today, and there’s growing confidence he’ll suit up this weekend.
That’s significant - and not just because the 49ers are already dealing with a major blow on offense following George Kittle’s Achilles injury. Pearsall’s potential return could be a game-changer. He’s the only receiver on the roster right now with a consistent ability to beat man coverage, and that’s something this offense desperately needs.
Seattle’s defense didn’t have to respect the deep ball in Week 18. Without Pearsall, the Seahawks were able to crowd the short and intermediate zones, flying downhill and limiting yards after the catch.
Brock Purdy and the 49ers’ passing attack had little room to breathe, and it showed. The offense looked compressed, predictable, and ultimately ineffective.
But even just the threat of Pearsall on the field changes the equation. His speed and route-running can force opposing secondaries to play more honest - which, in turn, opens up space underneath for Christian McCaffrey, Demarcus Robinson, Jauan Jennings, Jake Tonges, and Kyle Juszczyk. That’s where Kyle Shanahan’s offense thrives: creating mismatches in space and letting playmakers go to work after the catch.
The 49ers managed to put up 23 points against Philadelphia last week without Pearsall, including a trick-play touchdown from Jennings to McCaffrey. But that was against a Philly defense that, while solid, isn’t quite as fast or as physical as Seattle’s current unit. The Seahawks are playing with confidence, and they’ve got the personnel to make life tough on any offense that can’t stretch the field.
If you want a reminder of what Pearsall brings to the table, go back to Week 1. That was his coming-out party.
Even though Seattle’s defense wasn’t quite in sync yet, the 49ers still had to fight for every yard. Kittle left the game after scoring, Jennings was banged up, and both Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Russell Gage were pressed into bigger roles.
Pearsall stepped up in a big way: four catches, 108 yards on seven targets, and a massive 27-yard average per reception. His biggest play?
A 45-yard strike down the sideline, where he beat Riq Woolen to set up the game-winning touchdown drive. That’s the kind of vertical threat that can tilt a defense - and it’s exactly what the 49ers have been missing.
The truth is, San Francisco can’t rely on a dink-and-dunk approach if they want to punch their ticket to the NFC Championship. The run game might face resistance again, even with Trent Williams back in the lineup.
That puts the pressure on the passing attack - and that’s where Pearsall becomes the X-factor. His ability to win on the outside gives Purdy a true field-stretcher and gives Shanahan more flexibility in his playcalling.
Week 18 was a struggle. Three points on the board told the story, but even the few positive plays looked like a grind.
That can’t happen again. Not in the playoffs.
Not against a defense like Seattle’s. Pearsall’s return doesn’t just add a weapon - it changes the entire dynamic of the offense.
Saturday night will be the biggest stage yet for the second-year receiver. If he can stay healthy through the week and suit up, the 49ers’ offense might just get the jolt it needs to keep this postseason run alive.