Key absences for the 49ers' primetime clash include Pearsall and Green. Rourke is out, while Gross-Matos remains questionable.
The San Francisco 49ers return to the national spotlight Monday night as they travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts in a critical Week 16 matchup with playoff implications. Ahead of kickoff, the team released its final injury report, offering clarity on which players will be unavailable and which remain questionable heading into primetime.
The most notable absence will be wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who has officially been ruled out after sustaining a knee and ankle injury in last week’s win over the Tennessee Titans. Pearsall made progress throughout the week but ultimately fell short of being cleared.
“He was close,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said following the team’s final practice. “But not close enough.”
Pearsall’s absence removes an emerging weapon from San Francisco’s offense, particularly one who has carved out a role in short to intermediate routes and explosive downfield opportunities. His snaps will likely be redistributed among the remaining wide receiver rotation and Christian McCaffery as the 49ers look to maintain balance offensively.
The 49ers will also be without cornerback Renardo Green, who has been ruled out with a neck injury. Green had logged significant snaps in recent weeks, and his absence could test San Francisco’s depth in the secondary (yet again) against a Colts offense that leans heavily on timing and quick throws with a quarterback who can absolutely hit a target in the chest.
At quarterback, rookie Kurtis Rourke will miss the game as well due to a knee injury. While Rourke has not been part of the active game plan behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones is ready to go, his absence further thins the quarterback room for Week 16.
On the defensive front, Yetur Gross-Matos remains the lone player listed as questionable. The defensive lineman was limited earlier in the week before missing the team’s final practice with a hamstring injury. His availability will be worth monitoring, as Gross-Matos provides valuable rotational depth along the defensive line.
There were some positive updates, however. Linebacker Tatum Bethune is expected to play after Shanahan confirmed he is “good to go,” and defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu impressed during the week of practice and appears on track to contribute.
The 49ers will continue evaluating player availability up until kickoff, with final inactive decisions announced approximately 90 minutes before game time in Indianapolis.
Despite the injuries, San Francisco enters Monday night confident in its depth and preparation as it looks to secure a playoff berth.