San Francisco will take precautions for two key players in Monday Night's game in Santa Clara.
The San Francisco 49ers are taking the long view in Week 16, and that perspective was clear when head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the media at his final press conference on Saturday.
Shanahan confirmed the team will rest two key contributors against the Indianapolis Colts, prioritizing health and playoff readiness over short-term urgency.
The most notable absence will be rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who continues to deal with a PCL injury.
While Pearsall has reportedly been improving and might be capable of gutting through the discomfort, Shanahan and the medical staff opted for caution.
With postseason football approaching, exposing a young, talented receiver to unnecessary risk simply doesn’t make sense, especially in a matchup the 49ers feel confident handling without him.
Pearsall’s absence opens the door for increased opportunities elsewhere in the passing game.
San Francisco already boasts one of the league’s deepest and most versatile receiving groups, and this matchup allows them to lean on that depth.
Expect established players to take on heavier workloads, while rotational players may see a slight increase in targets as the coaching staff distributes reps and evaluates situational roles.
That strategy is helped by the situation Indianapolis brings to Santa Clara.
The Colts enter the game shorthanded in the secondary, making the matchup far less intimidating through the air than it appeared earlier in the season.
With coverage weakened, the 49ers can afford to be flexible and creative offensively without leaning on a banged-up Pearsall.
Protecting his long-term availability is far more valuable than squeezing out a few extra snaps in December.
The second surprise inactive is rookie defensive back Renardo Green, a decision that largely flew under the radar.
Green was not listed on Friday’s injury report but was limited in Thursday’s practice, revealing a lingering neck issue.
Rather than push him into action, the 49ers again chose caution. Neck injuries are notoriously unpredictable, and the coaching staff clearly felt this was not the week to gamble.
Much like Pearsall, Green is not essential for San Francisco to handle the Colts.
While Indianapolis has capable pass catchers, its passing attack has struggled to consistently threaten defenses downfield.
From the 49ers’ perspective, resting Green now reduces risk without significantly compromising their defensive game plan.
Ultimately, Shanahan’s decisions underscore a broader philosophy.
With playoff positioning in mind and a roster built to absorb short-term absences, the 49ers are focused on being healthy when it matters most.
Week 16 is about preparation, not desperation—and resting Pearsall and Green reflects a team confident in both its depth and its direction.