The 49ers will be without wide receiver Ricky Pearsall when they take on the Colts in primetime on Monday night, as the rookie continues to deal with lingering knee and ankle issues. Pearsall didn’t practice at all this week, and the team officially ruled him out on Saturday. It marks the seventh game he’ll miss this season due to injury - a frustrating stretch for a player who’s shown flashes of real potential when healthy.
In the eight games he has suited up for, Pearsall has pulled in 31 catches for 443 yards - not eye-popping numbers, but enough to suggest he could be a reliable contributor when given the chance. He’s shown good hands, solid route-running, and an ability to find soft spots in coverage. But availability is the best ability in the NFL, and right now, Pearsall just can’t stay on the field.
The injury list doesn’t stop there for San Francisco. Rookie cornerback Renardo Green has also been ruled out with a neck injury.
Green was limited throughout the week in practice, and while he’s not suiting up this week, the team appears to be playing it cautiously in hopes of having him ready for Week 17. Green’s absence further thins a secondary that’s already had to shuffle pieces throughout the season.
Meanwhile, quarterback Kurtis Rourke won’t be activated from injured reserve just yet as he continues to recover from a knee injury. The team is clearly not rushing his return, which makes sense given the stakes and the depth chart situation under center.
There’s a bit more optimism on the defensive side, though. Edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos is officially listed as questionable with a hamstring issue. He’s been trending in the right direction, and if he’s able to go, it would be a welcome boost for a defensive front that thrives on rotation and fresh legs.
Injuries are part of the game, especially this late in the season, but for the 49ers, the goal now is to get as healthy as possible heading into the final stretch. Monday night’s matchup against the Colts may not feature a full-strength roster, but it’s another test of the team’s depth - and a chance for other players to step up and make their mark.