Image Source: Rohan Chakravarthi
Key Takeaways
- The San Francisco 49ers are expected to have wide receiver Ricky Pearsall back for their NFC Divisional Round game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.
- Pearsall has been dealing with knee and ankle injuries for much of the year, limiting him to nine games.
- His availability is crucial, especially with George Kittle out with a torn Achilles.
- Pearsall is listed as questionable due to his knee injury, but he and head coach Kyle Shanahan are confident he will play.
- The wideout’s explosiveness is a key factor in getting separation, and his presence on the field generates more explosive plays for the 49ers.
Introduction to Ricky Pearsall’s Injury
The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up to face the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Round on Saturday, and they are expected to have wide receiver Ricky Pearsall back in the lineup for the first time since their Week 17 win over the Chicago Bears. Pearsall’s second year in the league has been marred by injuries, including knee and ankle issues that have limited him to just nine games. Despite this, he has shown promise as a top receiver for the 49ers, catching 36 passes for 528 yards, which ranks 78th in the NFL. As head coach Kyle Shanahan noted, "We wouldn’t put him on a snap count, but I saw improvement. He’s still battling it, so that’s why he’s still questionable."
Pearsall’s Availability and Impact
Pearsall’s availability is crucial for the 49ers, especially with tight end George Kittle out with a torn Achilles. The team struggled to get separation in their Week 18 loss to the Seahawks, and Pearsall’s presence on the field could make a significant difference. As Pearsall himself said, "Yeah, I’m pretty confident [I’ll play]. I’ve been in every practice this week. You guys saw me practicing last week, but if you really saw me practicing, I couldn’t really lift up my leg very well. I was trying to get back. But this week gave me a little bit more optimism that I’d be playing this week. I’m getting more confident." Pearsall’s confidence is a good sign, but the injury is still a lingering issue, and he noted that "the toughest part is just being in and out. That’s probably the toughest part, is it just lingering around."
The Injury’s Impact on Pearsall’s Performance
The injury is likely to impact Pearsall’s performance, particularly when it comes to explosive movements. As he noted, "any explosive movements [are the toughest parts], honestly." Pearsall’s explosiveness is a key factor in getting separation, and it will be interesting to see how much he is impacted by the injury when facing the Seahawks’ strong group of cornerbacks. Despite this, Pearsall was a huge difference-maker when the two sides played back in Week 1, catching four passes for 108 yards in the 49ers’ 17-10 win. As the article notes, "When he’s on the field, the 49ers generate more explosive plays. It’s as simple as that. Without him, the offense gets bottled up more often, which can lead to weeks like Week 18."
Conclusion and Expectations
In conclusion, Ricky Pearsall’s availability for the 49ers’ game against the Seahawks on Saturday is a significant boost to the team’s offense. While the injury is still a lingering issue, Pearsall and head coach Kyle Shanahan are confident that he will play. As Shanahan noted, "we would never put a guy on an exact snap count, especially in a playoff game. But, we also understand where he is at and that it would probably have to be different than just his true status of when he is 100-percent healthy." Pearsall’s presence on the field will be crucial in generating explosive plays and helping the 49ers advance to the next round of the playoffs. As the article notes, "Pearsall seems to be a go for Saturday’s game. We’ll see what his impact ultimately can be."
https://www.ninersnation.com/san-francisco-49ers-news/155420/san-francisco-49ers-news-ricky-pearsall-limited-seattle-seahawks-injury-kyle-shanahan
