Ricky Pearsall aggravated PCL injury vs Titans, leaving Week 16 status uncertain
“He landed on his knee and it’s a painful thing,” Shanahan said. “Hopefully, it’s not at all like when he first did it. But it does take time for that pain to go away. Hopefully, that’ll be sooner than later over these next eight days.”
The 49ers are back in action in Week 16 against the Colts on Monday night in Indianapolis.
Shanahan said he is not sure if Pearsall will be able to practice this week or play on Monday
due to knee and ankle injuries. The 49ers return to practice on Wednesday.“
Kyle Shanahan shares 49ers updates day after Week 15 win vs. Titans
“”Jordan [Watkins] needs to show out on the practice field that he is better than the guys in front of him. And it’s really tough with these guys when they’ve missed so much time, but he has been out here for a little bit getting back in shape and doing a good job in practice. But I mean, we’re going to play the top guys and he’s still working to show that he’s one of those. What was the other question? The one before that.”
Is the window going to be opened on Jacob Cowing?
“No, they didn’t tell me this week. So, I think our goal is next week versus Chicago.”
Thompson: How are the hobbled 49ers still in this? They found a different way to be great (paywall)
“Shanahan has coached squads flush with enough stars to feel inevitable, including just last year. Twice, the 49ers came close enough to the Lombardi Trophy to see their breath on the silver, only to see it snatched away by the greatness of Patrick Mahomes. Those squads won by overwhelming opponents with their talent. This one wins by never letting up.
The edge of Shanahan is showing up in the personality of this team. He coaxed a 5-3 record out of backup quarterback Mac Jones’ starts. San Francisco’s 24.6 points per game have often come with running back Christian McCaffrey and receiver Kendrick Bourne leading in receiving yards. Shanahan, who has some bouts with conservatism, rides his workhorses with desperation. McCaffrey leads the league with 345 touches. Kittle is third among tight ends in receptions and second in touchdowns since returning from his injury.
This may end up being Shanahan’s finest coaching job. Not because of what he’s drawn up, but because of what he’s demanded.
What’s saving this season is the part of these 49ers that’s learned from loss, scar tissue and heartbreak. The part that understands championships aren’t built with perfection. It’s an endurance test. A challenge of the will. And as long as it comes down to the fight in the dog, they’re still in it.
The last three games feature something they haven’t seen in a while — playoff-caliber teams. At Indianapolis (8-6) before closing the season against Chicago (10-4) and Seattle.
They’ve got a chance. Something that seemed to die two months ago. But they’ve clawed it back to life.“
Barrows: 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall performs like the heir to Brandon Aiyuk in win over Titans (paywall)
“Still, the rarely used reserve/left team designation is reserved for players who have done exactly that — quit the team. And as last year’s episode with linebacker De’Vondre Campbell underscored, teams don’t look kindly on players who quit in the middle of a game, or in Aiyuk’s case, stop showing up to work.
“I’m gonna punt on that question,” said George Kittle, the 49ers’ de facto spokesman, when asked about Aiyuk’s situation. “It is what it is. Nothing I can do about it, so I’m just going to play ball with the guys that are here.”
Pearsall is Aiyuk’s natural successor. After Sunday’s win, McCaffrey called him a “special player” for precisely the reasons Aiyuk has excelled in San Francisco — he creates separation and gets open.
“I think it’s his ability to beat man coverage and his hands, especially,” he said. “He’s a hell of a ball catcher and an elite route runner. And I think when you have someone as dynamic as that, the ball is gonna find him.”
Pearsall, it seems, is one of the few people inside the 49ers’ facility who have recently communicated with Aiyuk. He credits Aiyuk for guiding him when he first arrived at Arizona State. The two have been close ever since, and he said he texts Aiyuk every so often.
“Whether he answers it or not, I know that he sees it,” Pearsall said. “I’m just praying for the dude. … I have all the love and respect in the world for that man, and I send him a text every so often to check on him. It’s bigger than the game.”
Sando: What makes these 49ers’ special? The answer might surprise you (paywall)
“They rank first by a wide margin among all teams since 2000 in year-over-year change in special teams EPA per game, per TruMedia.
Gaining more than a touchdown in value (7.1 points) per game on these plays is sensational for the 49ers, whose 37-24 victory over Tennessee on Sunday featured, appropriately, the NFL’s third-best special teams output in Week 15 (+5.9).“
49ers vs. Titans PFF grades: Best and worst from the game, plus snap counts
“In addition to earning the game’s top overall grade, Trent Williams was also the highest-graded run blocker (95.1) and pass blocker (87.5). He surrendered just one pressure across 41 pass-blocking snaps…Cornerback Upton Stout was the 49ers’ highest-graded tackler (81.2), followed by safety Jason Pinnock (77.8). Neither missed a tackle in the game.
For the second consecutive week, rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins earned the lowest tackling grade (22.9). Kalia Davis wasn’t far behind with a 26.4 tackling grade.“
