Getty
The San Francisco 49ers got a major boost for Brock Purdy ahead of Saturday night’s Divisional Round showdown with the Seattle Seahawks.
Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams is off the injury report with no game designation after dealing with a hamstring issue and being limited in practice earlier this week, and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall told reporters he’s “pretty confident” he’ll play despite his lingering knee problem.
Williams’ status is an extension of his return from a one-week absence with a hamstring injury. He suited up and helped the 49ers beat Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round. Pearsall would be the welcome return to the lineup. The WR hasn’t recorded a catch since Dec. 28 when the ‘9ers took on the Bears.
Ricky Pearsall says he’s “pretty confident” that he will play on Saturday.
#49ers | #FTTB
“Yeah, I’m pretty confident Pearsall told reporters about his ability to play. “I couldn’t really lift up my leg very well (last week). This week gave me more optimism that I’m going to play this week and yeah I’m more confident.”
San Francisco heads to Seattle for the rubber match on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
Trent Williams Clears the Deck for Purdy
Purdy hasn’t had a full cast of characters to work with on offense for most of the season. And he still won’t this weekend, but at least he’ll have a solidified line and some much needed help at WR, assuming Pearsall does play.
Williams is a big reason Purdy can feel confident, too. When Williams is available — and fully functional — the 49ers can keep Purdy cleaner and avoid living in emergency mode with protection.
Williams missed Week 18 against Seattle with the hamstring issue, then returned for the Wild Card win over Philadelphia, and now he’s progressed to full participation and doesn’t carry a designation for the Divisional Round.
Heavy has tracked Williams injury swing points throughout the past few weeks, including the impact on the matchup and what it means for Purdy’s comfort level.
Ricky Pearsall’s Injury: Why He’s Confident Now
Pearsall’s optimism matters because the 49ers have been navigating his availability for months.
Pearsall suffered a right knee PCL strain on Sept. 28, and he’s had multiple flare-ups since — including a recent re-aggravation after a 30-yard catch on Dec. 28 vs. the Bears. He finished that game, but the swelling and soreness kept him out of the regular-season finale and the 49ers’ Wild Card win over the Eagles.
On Thursday, Pearsall said he’s “pretty confident” he’ll play, noting this week felt different than last week physically.
Officially, Pearsall is still questionable on the final injury report.
The 49ers’ Injury Context: It’s Been Relentless
Even with the “great news” at tackle and Pearsall trending the right way, San Francisco is still dealing with a brutal health ledger.
Most notably, tight end George Kittle suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the Wild Card game, a massive loss for a Purdy-led offense that leans on Kittle as a matchup-breaker and tone-setter.
Defensively, the 49ers ruled out star linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) for Saturday. Safety Ji’Ayir Brown is also out, while a handful of others remain questionable.
(And yes, it’s all happening on a compressed week, something Heavy also spotlighted in our recent coverage of San Francisco’s short-week grind.)
Pearsall’s 2025 Season Stats
Even in a stop-start season, Pearsall has produced when he’s been able to stay on the field.
In the 2025 regular season, Pearsall posted 36 catches for 528 yards (14.7 yards per catch) and 0 touchdowns.
If he’s truly ready to go, that gives Purdy another legitimate option at a time when the 49ers’ margin is thin.
And if you want the broader Purdy health arc, Purdy himself has dealt with injury, too. A toe situation during the late-season push is just another example of how much San Francisco’s postseason has revolved around keeping QB1 functional.
Erik Anderson is an award-winning sports journalist covering the NBA, MLB and NFL for Heavy.com. He also focuses on the trading card market. His work has appeared in nationally-recognized outlets including The New York Times, Associated Press , USA Today, and ESPN. More about Erik Anderson
More Heavy on 49ers
Loading more stories
