With the 49ers' receiver dealing with an injury, San Francisco must make a rational decision as they prepares for the playoffs too.
The San Francisco 49ers face an important decision heading into their matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, and it centers on wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.
For the first time since coming back from injury, Pearsall looked like a true offensive weapon again.
Against the Tennessee Titans, he hauled in six catches for 96 yards, a total that surpassed his combined output from Weeks 11 through 13.
It was also his most productive game since Week 3, when he posted eight catches for 117 yards.
The performance was encouraging, but it came at a cost.
Pearsall suffered a couple of injuries during the win, reigniting concerns about his health just as the postseason approaches.
While the 49ers made a concerted effort to get him involved, the bigger picture now demands restraint.
Sitting Pearsall against the Colts is the most brilliant move to preserve him for the playoffs.
From a strategic standpoint, this decision isn’t difficult.
The 49ers have depth at wide receiver and enough offensive firepower to handle Indianapolis without pushing Pearsall’s body too far.
While the team shouldn’t officially rule him out, gamesmanship always matters in the NFL—the in-house choice should be to keep him inactive.
Letting him rest and recover is far more valuable than squeezing out one more regular-season appearance.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged the situation following the Titans game. “I mean, there is a concern. I think just dealing and seeing how those have gone this year,” Shanahan said via conference call on Monday. “The ankle was a tough ankle injury, but that it checked out that it wasn't a high and he was able to get through the game is somewhat encouraging. I mean, that shouldn't rule him out for this week, but that combined with the knee, I mean, he aggravated it.”
While Shanahan and Pearsall downplayed the severity in the locker room, emphasizing pain management and monitoring how things progress, caution remains essential.
Even if Pearsall starts to feel better during the week, that doesn’t mean he should suit up.
Soft-tissue and joint injuries can worsen quickly, especially for a receiver who relies on explosiveness and sharp cuts.
If there is any point in the season to give Pearsall a game off, this is it.
The playoffs are right around the corner, and the 49ers will face far more formidable defenses than the Colts.
The last thing they want is to aggravate Pearsall’s ankle or knee and risk losing him for the remainder of the year.
Protecting a key contributor now could make the difference in January, when every snap truly matters.