Injuries are nothing the San Francisco 49ers haven’t dealt with before, but they’ve piled up for them even before the halfway point of the 2025 NFL season.
Not only are integral defensive aces like linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa out for the year, but numerous key starters and rotational players have missed multiple games as well.
As preparation begins for Week 9, 49ers players with questionable statuses include quarterback Brock Purdy, linebacker Dee Winters, defensive linemen Sam Okuayinonu, Jordan Elliott and Alfred Collins, as well as No. 2 quarterback Mac Jones and starting wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.
Despite the constant lineup changes, head coach Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh have willed the 49ers to a 5-3 record, though they currently sit in third in the NFC West – one of the toughest divisions in the NFL.
The more starters the Niners have available this week, the better shot they’ll have of going across the country and beating the New York Giants to improve to 6-3.
During Shanahan’s Monday press conference, he gave a behind-the-scenes look into whether the aforementioned players could suit up on Sunday.
Kyle Shanahan Provides 49ers Injury Updates
Shanahan addressed the media on Monday to share updates on players’ outlooks ahead of Week 9.
While addressing the offensive side of the ball, Shanahan said, “I don’t think it’s a long shot” for Purdy to play, while noting that Jones is day-to-day with a knee contusion.
Additionally, he said Pearsall will be reevaluated on Wednesday and monitored day-to-day. It’s unclear at the moment if the injured wide receiver will practice on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the matter of who’ll be under center for San Francisco this week is one of increased scrutiny heading into Week 9, considering Jones’ play has seemingly slipped the more starts he’s been forced to make.
Both Purdy and Jones have been dealing with injuries, though Purdy has a PFSN QB impact grade of 89.4 compared to Jones’ 78.3. Jones has had to step in on five occasions for Purdy this year due to the latter’s toe and shoulder injuries.
On the defensive side, Shanahan shared that defensive linemen Okuayinonu, Elliott and Collins are all day-to-day with ankle injuries. He also said starting linebacker Winters is day-to-day with a knee injury.
Though the Giants are beat up themselves — New York has lost rookie Cam Skattebo and star receiver Malik Nabers for the season with respective ankle and knee injuries — having any number of those defensive starters will go a long way to securing a victory.
If some aren’t available, they’ll need to continue to depend on backups as they have previously. Until then, fans and media alike will keep a close eye on all these players.
