Ricky Pearsall Gives Injury Update After 49ers Loss to Jaguars

The San Francisco 49ers took their first loss of the 2025 NFL season on September 28, dropping a 26-21 matchup to the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi’s Stadium. To make matters worse, injuries continue to pile up for San Francisco, with wide receiver Ricky Pearsall being the latest concern.

Pearsall went down in the third quarter and briefly tried to return. However, he was listed as questionable after being evaluated for a knee injury. Despite testing the knee on the sideline in hopes of rejoining the action, he ultimately decided to sit out the rest of the game.

After the 49ers’ loss, Pearsall revealed why he opted not to push through the injury.

“I was testing it out,” Pearsall said postgame (h/t 49ers Webzone). “I fell pretty hard on that one play on the sideline, trying to keep my feet in bounds, and I fell pretty hard on my knee. And I was just feeling pain and a little bit of instability, so I wasn’t trying to really mess with it.

“I was moving around. I was working with some of the trainers to try to make it feel better to go back out there. That wasn’t the case for me. I went out for one more play and felt a little bit of pain and a little bit of instability, so I just kinda shut it down from there.”

49ers Losing Ricky Pearsall Would Be Major Blow

Coach Kyle Shanahan has leaned on the second-year receiver as a vital part of the offense, particularly with playmakers like George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk sidelined. That’s why losing Pearsall for any stretch would put even more strain on San Francisco’s attack.

Pearsall has emerged as a key contributor in the 49ers’ injury-hit wide receiver group, and general manager and president of football operations John Lynch has undoubtedly seen what the player is capable of in a bigger role.

“It’s hard to play receiver in this league; the amount of running these guys do, Ricky can just handle it,” Lynch said on September 25 with KNBR’s “Murph and Markus” (h/t NBC Sports Bay Area). “He’s got tremendous stamina, tremendous body control. He’s a very skilled route-runner — very precise.

“When the quarterback expects him to get to a certain yardage, he’s going to do that; he’s not going to cut it short. So as a result, they’re very confident in throwing it to him. Even sometimes when he is covered, he’s shown an ability to come back to the ball.”

What Will the 49ers Miss if Ricky Pearsall Is Out?

Heading into Week 4, Pearsall had recorded 16 catches for 281 yards and an average of 17.6 yards per reception. Moreover, before leaving the contest against the Jaguars, the 49ers receiver had already registered four receptions for 46 yards.

The production loss if he cannot go against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football will be significant, as Lynch noted his excitement to see Pearsall continue his growth.

“Ricky’s playing at a really high level, and we’re grateful for that and proud of him,” Lynch added. “He’s endured so much with what happened last year, and all he’s done is continue to work, and it’s starting to really pay off for him. …”

Steelers breakout star pushes for expanded role after Week 4 statement

This needs to become a recurring theme.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers need to make something happen, Mike Tomlin always finds a way to motivate his troops. It’s part of what makes him one of the most respected coaches in the NFL. This week, the energy came naturally. A passionate crowd in Dublin, Ireland, was enough to ignite every player in black and gold.

The stage was special — a chance to honor the late ambassador Dan Rooney while putting on a show overseas. The mission was simple: erase the doubts, fix the sloppy play, and remind everyone who the Pittsburgh Steelers really are.

As usual, that starts with a consistent rushing attack.

Arthur Smith’s offense had struggled to establish the ground game through the first three weeks, averaging just 2.8 yards per carry. But in Dublin, something clicked.

The Steelers finished with 131 rushing yards on 29 attempts — a healthy 4.5 yards per carry — against a tough Minnesota defense. That’s no small feat, and to me, it all came down to one difference-maker: tight end Darnell Washington.

At six-foot-seven and built like a brick wall, Washington is impossible to miss on the field. But his impact goes well beyond his size. He’s the kind of player who thrives in physical football — the style Pittsburgh has always embraced. Against the Vikings, he showed why the Steelers drafted him in the first place.

The Pittsburgh Steelers must utilize Darnell Washington similarly to Week 4 moving forward

Washington’s blocking was the backbone of the rushing revival.

Whether sealing the edge for Kenneth Gainwell or pushing defenders off the line to create running lanes, his presence was felt every time the offense lined up. Arthur Smith wisely used special packages to feature Washington as an additional blocker, giving the Steelers the extra muscle they needed to dominate up front.

But that wasn’t all.

Washington also contributed as a receiver, catching all three of his targets for 20 yards. On paper, those numbers might not turn heads, but if you watched the game, you saw how valuable those catches were. Each one kept drives alive and forced the Vikings to respect him as more than just a blocking tight end.

And that’s the key. When defenses have to account for Washington as both a blocker and a receiver, the Steelers’ offense becomes far less predictable. Give him space, and he’ll maul you at the line. Underestimate his route running, and he’ll slip past you for a crucial grab.

I truly believe this is a turning point for Arthur Smith’s offense. Darnell Washington gives Pittsburgh a new identity on the ground — one that blends power, intelligence, and versatility.

The Steelers will use their Week 5 bye to rest and reset, but more importantly, to build on what they found in Dublin. If they keep leaning on Washington’s strengths, this rushing attack could become the steady force Pittsburgh has been searching for all season.

And just like that, the Steelers might’ve discovered their missing piece.