Kyle Shanahan’s Wednesday press conferences have become a source of anxiety for San Francisco 49ers fans, as the team’s run of bad luck this season has been hard to believe and largely explains its week-to-week inconsistency.
However, this Wednesday brought one of Shanahan’s most encouraging updates of the year, with positive news regarding Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall, both sidelined since Week 4 when they last played against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall Practicing And Trending Towards Starting Sunday
Purdy’s injury has been a lingering concern for San Francisco since Week 1, when he sustained an injury during the win over division rival Seattle Seahawks. The quarterback suffered turf toe, made a brief return after two weeks, but later aggravated the same issue.
As for Ricky Pearsall, the wide receiver had complained of knee pain following the Week 3 win against the Arizona Cardinals, and after landing awkwardly on it versus the Jaguars, tests revealed a mild PCL sprain.
Speaking to the media Wednesday, Shanahan said both players are back at practice and have a real shot to play on Sunday. For Purdy, the main concern is whether he can handle a full-speed week of practice, but the coach sounded optimistic about his progress.
If all goes according to plan, Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall will return together for the 49ers on Sunday in Arizona, their home state pic.twitter.com/BUVSEAT77c
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) November 12, 2025
“I think each week it’s gotten better, with last week being the best. Each week has been different. If he takes a big step forward this week, like he did last week, we should have a good chance to play,” Shanahan said.
Shanahan’s comments also confirm that there was never a true quarterback controversy inside the building, despite the outside noise generated by Mac Jones’ solid play. The head coach made it clear that the starting job belongs to Purdy, in whom the team has full confidence.
Regarding Pearsall, Shanahan noted that the medical staff cleared him and that he’s expected to be ready. The PCL injury was handled carefully to avoid any instability that could have made it worse, but his return now seems imminent.
“The trainers told me Ricky is healthy. When I see it with my own eyes, he’s good to go.”
— Kyle Shanahan pic.twitter.com/fjSUEU4dAd
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) November 12, 2025
“They told me he’s healthy. I’ll get out there and see with my own eyes. I’m sure it’ll look that way. As long as he does, then he’s good to go,” Shanahan said about Pearsall.
The 49ers’ offense has held up well this season, even without Purdy and Pearsall, ranking ninth in the PFSN Offensive Impact Meter with an 81.5 score. However, the unit’s ceiling is noticeably higher with the duo back on the field, especially given their ability to create plays on the move and extend drives outside the pocket.
With two of their top offensive players on track to return, the 49ers should have a strong chance against the Cardinals on Sunday, a team they already beat earlier this season on a last-second field goal by Eddy Piñeiro. A win would put San Francisco at 4-1 within the division and keep its playoff hopes alive.
