As the San Francisco 49ers gear up for a pivotal Week 10 NFC West battle against the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Kyle Shanahan stood before reporters on Wednesday and offered a brutally honest injury rundown that could shape the team’s season.
The practice field at Levi’s Stadium felt tense yet hopeful — a mix of healing bodies and lingering uncertainty.
Ricky Pearsall: No Setback, Just Slow Healing
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, sidelined since Week 4 with a stubborn knee issue, remains out of practice. Despite the prolonged absence, Shanahan was quick to dismiss any fears of regression.
“It’s just taking longer than we thought,” he explained. “No setback — same as last week.”
Pearsall’s return remains uncertain, but the coach’s tone hinted at patience over panic. “He’s working, he’s frustrated, but we’re not forcing it,” Shanahan added.
Brock Purdy’s Workload Ramps Up
Quarterback Brock Purdy, recovering from turf toe, is gradually increasing his reps. Last week marked his most active practice since the injury — a step that didn’t go unnoticed.
“We plan on pushing it each week,” Shanahan said with quiet optimism.
While Purdy didn’t suit up against the Giants, his progress suggests a potential return is on the horizon — a much-needed lift for San Francisco’s offense.
Brandon Aiyuk Still Waiting, But Hope Remains
The 49ers’ star wideout Brandon Aiyuk hasn’t yet had his practice window opened, but Shanahan is “pretty confident” he’ll be back this season.
“It’s week-to-week,” Shanahan said. “Once he hits the speed and recovery benchmarks, we’ll open that window.”
Behind the scenes, Aiyuk continues to grind — and teammates say his energy hasn’t wavered.
Ben Bartch Back to Full Speed
One bright spot: offensive lineman Ben Bartch is officially a full-go in practice. Shanahan noted that Bartch could reclaim his left guard role depending on how the week unfolds.
“He’s not limited today, so it gives him a better chance,” Shanahan said. “But we’ll see how he looks.”
Bartch’s return adds a vital boost to a unit that has struggled to find rhythm in recent weeks.
Yetur Gross-Matos Expected to Return This Season
Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, recently placed on injured reserve with a hamstring pull, is also expected to return later this season.
“He’ll be back,” Shanahan said with conviction — a short statement that carried big weight in the locker room.
Other Injuries to Monitor
The following players were limited in Wednesday’s practice:
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LB Tatum Bethune (thigh)
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C Jake Brendel (hamstring)
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DE Bryce Huff (hamstring)
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QB Brock Purdy (toe)
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LB Dee Winters (knee)
Each remains day-to-day as the 49ers attempt to get healthy for their biggest divisional test yet.
The Bigger Picture
For Shanahan and the 49ers, the mission is clear: get healthy, stay steady, and survive November. The team has endured a brutal string of injuries, but the locker room pulse remains strong. Veterans have stepped up, rookies are grinding, and belief hasn’t wavered.
As Shanahan left the podium, he didn’t offer promises — just resolve.
“You never get through a season untouched,” he said. “But we’ll keep fighting with whoever’s ready to go.”
