Ricky Pearsall Returns for 49ers in Divisional Round, But Knee Injury Still a Factor
Heading into the NFC Divisional Round showdown with the Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers had a big question hanging over their offense: Would Ricky Pearsall be available?
The second-year wideout has been one of the more intriguing pieces in the 49ers’ offensive puzzle this season. When healthy, Pearsall flashes the kind of playmaking ability that stretches defenses and opens up Kyle Shanahan’s playbook in a big way.
But the keyword there is when. A lingering right knee injury-specifically a PCL strain suffered back on December 14 against the Tennessee Titans-has kept Pearsall in and out of the lineup down the stretch.
That same injury sidelined him during the Wild Card win over the Eagles.
Despite the uncertainty, Pearsall was officially listed as active for the Divisional Round. That was a welcome sight for 49ers fans, especially with the team facing a physical, aggressive Seahawks defense that thrives on disrupting timing and limiting yards after the catch. Pearsall’s ability to create separation and work the intermediate routes could have been a valuable asset.
But while he suited up, his role in the game was minimal. Pearsall didn’t record a catch, and his snap count was clearly managed with caution. It was a case of a player being available in uniform, but not quite at full go-likely a combination of game flow and the team managing his recovery carefully in a high-stakes environment.
Even in a limited season, Pearsall managed to put up 36 catches for 528 yards across nine games. That’s not nothing, especially considering he was working through the knee issue for much of the year. The absence of touchdowns might stand out on the stat sheet, but the tape shows a player who consistently created chunk plays and showed flashes of high-level route running.
The 49ers clearly value what Pearsall brings to the offense, and his presence on the active roster-even in a reduced role-speaks to the trust the coaching staff has in his potential impact. Whether or not he becomes a bigger factor as the postseason continues will depend on how that knee responds and whether he can ramp back up to full speed.
For now, San Francisco fans can take some comfort in seeing No. 14 back on the field. If Pearsall gets closer to 100%, he could still be a difference-maker in this playoff run.