The San Francisco 49ers held a walkthrough practice on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s divisional round matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
And they received some encouraging news on the injury front.
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall returned to practice for the first time since December 31. He was officially listed as limited in Tuesday’s walkthrough, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
That is a positive sign for a 49ers offense that desperately needs weapons after losing star tight end George Kittle to a season-ending torn Achilles in the wild-card round win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Pearsall has been dealing with a knee and ankle injury that has kept him out of the last two games. His return to practice—even in a limited capacity—suggests he could be available for Saturday’s game at Lumen Field.
DNP – S Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring), LB Luke Gifford (quad)
Limited – LB Fred Warner (ankle), WR Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle), OT Trent Williams (hamstring), DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee), DL Keion White (groin), LB Dee Winters
What Ricky Pearsall’s Return Would Mean for the 49ers
GettyRicky Pearsall of the San Francisco 49ers.
Pearsall has been in and out of the lineup all season due to injuries.
He originally suffered a PCL sprain in his right knee in Week 4 and missed seven weeks. After returning to the field, he aggravated the injury in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. He also picked up an ankle injury during that same stretch, which has kept him sidelined for the last two games.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Tuesday morning that Pearsall was trending in the right direction. The fact that he was able to participate in Tuesday’s walkthrough—even at a limited level—is a step forward.
If Pearsall can stay healthy this week, he would provide another reliable target for quarterback Brock Purdy in a crucial playoff game. The 49ers’ wide receiver group has leaned heavily on Jauan Jennings, Demarcus Robinson, and Kendrick Bourne in recent weeks. All three have stepped up in big moments, but adding Pearsall back into the rotation would give San Francisco more depth and flexibility.
Pearsall is a talented route runner who can create separation and make plays in the intermediate passing game. With Kittle now out for the season, the 49ers need every weapon they can get.
Trent Williams Also Listed as Limited After Returning Sunday
GettyTrent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers.
Pearsall was not the only notable name on Tuesday’s injury report.
Left tackle Trent Williams was also listed as limited. Williams returned Sunday against the Eagles and played all 59 offensive snaps after missing Week 18’s loss to the Seahawks with a hamstring injury.
Williams tweaked his hamstring early in Week 17 and sat out the regular-season finale. His return against Philadelphia was crucial for the 49ers’ offensive line, and his presence on Saturday will be just as important.
The 37-year-old Williams is still playing at an elite level. He earned Second-Team All-Pro honors for the 2025 season, his fourth All-Pro selection overall. His ability to anchor the left side of the offensive line is a major reason why the 49ers’ running game has been effective down the stretch.
Williams being listed as limited on Tuesday is not necessarily concerning. It is likely just a maintenance day after playing a full game on Sunday. As long as he is healthy enough to suit up on Saturday, the 49ers will be in good shape up front.
❌ DNP: •Dee Winters (LB, ankle) •Luke Gifford (LB, quad) •Ji’Ayir Brown (S, hamstring)
⚠️ Limited: •Ricky Pearsall (WR, knee/ankle) •Trent Williams (OT, hamstring/vet day) •Dominick Puni (G, ankle) •Keion White (DL, groin)
Fred Warner Opens Practice Window, But Won’t Play This Week
GettyFred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers.
The biggest news on Tuesday was linebacker Fred Warner returning to practice.
The 49ers opened Warner’s 21-day practice window on Tuesday. Warner has been out since Week 6 after dislocating and fracturing his right ankle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Shanahan made it clear that Warner will not play this week against Seattle. However, if the 49ers win on Saturday and advance to the NFC Championship Game, Warner could potentially return for that matchup.
That would be a massive boost for the 49ers’ defense. Warner is one of the best linebackers in football, and his presence on the field changes everything for San Francisco’s defensive scheme. The 49ers have found ways to win without him, but getting him back for a potential NFC Championship Game would be huge.
For now, though, the focus is on getting Warner back on the practice field and continuing his rehab. The fact that he is even practicing again is a positive sign.
Other Notable Injury Updates for the 49ers
Several other 49ers players were listed on Tuesday’s injury report.
Safety Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring) and linebacker Luke Gifford (quad) were listed as non-participants.
Linebacker Dee Winters (ankle), defensive end Keion White (groin/hamstring), offensive guard Dominick Puni (ankle), and defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) were all listed as limited.
None of those injuries appear to be major concerns at this point. The 49ers have dealt with a long list of injuries all season, and they have managed to stay competitive despite the adversity. If they can get Pearsall back this week and Williams stays healthy, they will have a legitimate shot to pull off the upset in Seattle.
Final Word for the 49ers
Ricky Pearsall returning to practice is a positive development for the 49ers.
After losing George Kittle to a season-ending injury, San Francisco needs all the help it can get in the passing game. Pearsall is not a star, but he is a reliable receiver who can make plays when healthy. If he can suit up on Saturday, it gives Brock Purdy another option and takes some pressure off the other receivers.
Trent Williams being back is also crucial. The 49ers’ offensive line needs him to be at full strength if they want to establish the run game and protect Purdy against Seattle’s pass rush.
Fred Warner’s return to practice is the biggest long-term story. He won not play this week, but if the 49ers win on Saturday, they could get their All-Pro linebacker back for the NFC Championship Game. That would change everything.
For now, the 49ers are focused on Seattle. And Tuesday’s injury report gave them reasons to feel optimistic.
49ers Injury Report Brings Good News Ahead of Seattle Matchup