San Francisco 49ers Receive Injury Updates Ahead Of Week 7 Clash
It’s gut-check time in Santa Clara, and the injury report is reading more like a laundry list of “Are you kidding me?” moments for the 49ers faithful. Heading into a crucial Sunday night showdown with the Atlanta Falcons, the Niners are hobbling, but not completely broken. Let’s break down the walking wounded and see who’s in, who’s out, and who’s a question mark that could swing the game.
No Go For Ricky Pearsall
The 49ers made it official: Ricky Pearsall will be watching this one from the sidelines. He’s nursing a PCL/knee injury, and if you’ve ever seen one of those, you know it’s no joke. The team is playing this one smart. They’ve seen what happens when you rush a guy back from a PCL issue—just look at the mess the Las Vegas Raiders made with Brock Bowers. You don’t play games with a player’s long-term health.
It’s a tough blow, no doubt. The 49ers’ offense could desperately use his explosive playmaking ability. But letting Pearsall heal completely is the only move. They need him at 100%, not 75% and risking a setback. Still, if we don’t see him making some real progress on the practice field next week, it might be time to hit the panic button, just a little.
Brock Purdy Sidelined, Mac Jones Steps Up
The quarterback saga continues. Brock Purdy, despite getting some limited reps in practice this week, has been officially ruled out with that nagging turf toe injury. This is the right call. The last thing you want is for your franchise QB to re-aggravate an injury that clearly isn’t healed. Kyle Shanahan confirmed they’re taking it slow, which is music to every fan’s ears. “It’s definitely a step further ahead than what we had last week, so going in the right direction,” Shanahan said.
This means Mac Jones gets another start. Jones has been more than just a fill-in; he’s kept the ship afloat, leading the team to a 3-1 record in Purdy’s absence. He’s not just a game manager; he’s been slinging it. But even he’s been banged up. Having him healthy enough to go full-tilt against a surprisingly stout Falcons defense is absolutely critical.
More Key Players On the Mend For the 49ers
The injury bug didn’t stop with the headliners. Defensive End Yetur Gross-Matos is also out with a knee and hamstring combo platter of pain. He’s been toughing it out through the knee issue for a while, so you have to figure the hamstring is what really tipped the scales. The pass rush has been less than terrifying this season, and they could really use his impactful snaps.
On the bright side, the 49ers are getting a massive boost with the return of George Kittle. The All-Pro tight end is back from a hamstring injury that’s kept him out for five long games. Shanahan says he’s got no pitch count, which is a scary thought for the Falcons’ defense. Kittle isn’t just a phenomenal pass-catcher; his blocking is a force of nature in the run game, and his leadership is immeasurable. With Fred Warner out for the season, having Kittle’s fire back on the field is a game-changer.
The 49ers are banged up, but they’re not out. With Jones at the helm and Kittle back in the fold, they’ve still got plenty of firepower to take on the Falcons. It is just a matter of whether the next man up can step up big time on Sunday night.
