Pearsall Injury Update, Purdy Highlights; Shanahan Shares Key Takeaways Following Win vs. Titans

Head coach Kyle Shanahan met with reporters following the San Francisco 49ers Week 15, 37-24 win over the Tennessee Titans. Here are the top takeaways from Shanahan following Sunday’s win:

Injury Updates Bring Cautious Optimism

Shanahan opened with a mostly encouraging injury report, noting several players are trending towards returning to practice this week. Offensive lineman Spencer Burford and defensive lineman Jordan Elliott are both expected to practice after having their knee issues checked out. Linebackers Eric Kendricks and Tatum Bethune, along with defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu, are also expected back on the field.

Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall remains the primary concern after re-aggravating his PCL injury while also dealing with an ankle sprain. Shanahan acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Pearsall’s availability, explaining the knee issue can be painful but manageable depending on how he responds over the next few days.

“There is a concern,” Shanahan said. “Hopefully, it’s not at all like it was when he first did it… and hopefully that’ll be sooner than later over these next eight days.”

Pearsall finished Sunday’s contest with six receptions for a team-leading 96 yards, averaging 16 yards per catch.

Purdy Delivers Another Strong Performance

Shanahan praised quarterback Brock Purdy for his decision-making and playmaking ability, calling it one of his better performances of the season.

“I thought Brock had a really good game,” Shanahan said. “There were also a couple plays that he made when it didn’t seem like anything was there.”

Purdy completed 23-of-30 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns, finishing with a season-high passer rating of 140.3. He also added seven rushes for 44 yards, including a career-long 26-yard run. While Shanahan added that it wasn’t flawless, Purdy consistently extended plays and capitalized when opportunities presented themselves, helping the offense score on each of its first five drives and register its most efficient start of the season.

Offensive Line Answers the Challenge Up Front

Facing one of the league’s most disruptive interior defenders in Titans DT Jeffery Simmons, Shanahan felt the offensive line rose to the occasion. Simmons made his presence felt, but Shanahan credited the group for its physicality.

“I thought our O-Line played well. Simmons was still a problem. He is a hell of a player. We knew that going in and feel just the same if not stronger going out. It was tough when we didn’t have two guys on him like you see on tape. He’s very good at beating his one-on-ones. I felt like when we got two guys on him, we handled him pretty well. But, he kept competing through the game. A lot of respect for him in that way. And I loved how our guys competed against him because he’s a very big talent and he plays with the right demeanor and how physical and violent he plays. I loved how our guys were up for the challenge.”

The offensive line’s performance helped fuel an offense that finished with zero punts and allowed Purdy time to distribute the ball effectively. Left tackle Trent Williams stood out in particular, earning high praise from Shanahan for his performance in both the run and pass game, earning a career-high 95.6 PFF grade.

“He had a hell of a game,” Shanahan said. “I’ve been very excited with how Trent’s been this year.”

Rookie Class Continues to Build for the Future

Shanahan expressed continued confidence in the 49ers rookie class, even as some young players have seen fewer snaps in recent weeks due to returning veterans and improved depth.

“I’ve been very encouraged with them,” Shanahan said. “I think we’ve got the right type of guys.”

He highlighted defensive lineman Alfred Collins as a player who has shown flashes of what the team envisioned, while emphasizing there is still room to grow. Collins has been part of a defensive front that continues to rotate players and build depth as the season continues.

“I like where he is,” Shanahan said, “but I’m also more excited about what I think he can be.”

Looking Ahead

Up next, another “Monday Night Football” game, this time in Indianapolis. The 49ers first played in “Monday Night Football” against the Carolina Panthers this season in Week 12 at Levi’s® Stadium and defeated the Panthers 20-9. The team will rest and rehab for their player off-day on Wednesday and pick practices back up this Thursday.