San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall endured a physically taxing afternoon in Sunday's win over the Tennessee Titans, leaving the game twice due to injury.
Pearsall suffered an ankle injury on the 49ers' first offensive drive but was able to return after being evaluated and receiving treatment from trainers. However, late in the game, he appeared to aggravate his previous PCL injury and did not return.
After the game, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the severity of Pearsall's injuries.
"We'll know for sure tomorrow, but he hurt the ankle on the first play, and returned, and played with that the whole game," Shanahan said. "And then, the knee thing, I think, was just him most likely irritating his PCL from the past. Those linger, so I would expect it to be alright, but he was battling through a lot today."
Despite the setbacks, Pearsall delivered his best performance since returning from the PCL injury in Week 11, catching six passes for a team-leading 96 yards on seven targets.
"Having to play through the injuries and stuff in that game, and he probably, physically, was struggling more in that game, I think it says a lot about him to still be able to fight through it, get out there, and still have a very productive game," Shanahan said.
Pearsall was clearly frustrated after the first injury.
"I was banged up that first play," Pearsall said. "I got twisted and tackled, and in my ankle just got caught under him as he landed, and it sucks. That's the game sometimes. I was obviously frustrated due to what I've already had to go through. But just continuing to have faith, just go wrap that ankle up, and get back in the game, see if you can go. And I feel like I can go.
"And towards the end of the game, obviously, I came up limping, but that's just some old stuff."
Pearsall said he isn't too concerned about the second setback, which is believed to be related to his previous knee injury.
"I don't really know what's going on with it, to be honest," Pearsall admitted. "I've got to get some imaging done to it and see what exactly it is. But it's probably the same thing that I was dealing with before, and that sucks.
"But at least I know how to manage it now, and go about it. And so, that's all I can focus on right now, is getting it ready for the next week."
Additional 49ers injury updates
Shanahan also provided updates on several other players following the win:
- Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott suffered a knee injury before kickoff and did not play.
- Cornerback Chase Lucas sustained a shoulder stinger on the opening kickoff but was able to return.
- Offensive lineman Spencer Burford suffered an ankle injury but returned to the game.
Running back Christian McCaffrey appeared on the injury report Saturday with a back issue but was active and started against the Titans.
"He just woke up Saturday and was stiff," Shanahan explained. "So that's why we put him on there. He was pretty adamant last night he was going to be alright, and woke up this morning with it alright, so no issue."
McCaffrey echoed that sentiment after the game, telling reporters he felt fine leading up to kickoff.
Shanahan said the team will have a clearer picture of the statuses of Elliott and Burford once further evaluations are completed.
"Jordan's thing was totally random," Shanahan shared. "It was him just getting loose in the locker room, and just felt something in his knee. So, that was a big deal. It happened at like 11:20. ... Spence, I knew his ankle was bad early, and the sign that he came back and played the rest of the game, you hope it's not a high-ankle sprain, but we haven't ruled that out yet. So, we'll see tomorrow."
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