The San Francisco 49ers have been one of the most inexplicable success stories of the 2025 NFL season. After missing the playoffs last season, there was hope they could find new life this year. But injuries continued to ravage the roster, even as they managed to string together victories.
Now at 12-4, they have a legitimate chance to win arguably the best division in the league, the NFC West. However, as has been the story all season, they are heading into the game against the Seattle Seahawks undermanned, with the biggest question marks surrounding Ricky Pearsall and Trent Williams.
Will Ricky Pearsall and Trent Williams Play Against the Seahawks?
With a win, the 49ers could cap a wild regular-season run as the No. 1 seed in the NFC and secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, including a potential Super Bowl, which will be held in Santa Clara.
However, they must get past a Seattle squad that has looked like one of the most complete teams in the league for much of the season. Unfortunately, to make matters more difficult, San Francisco will be without one of its best weapons and a future Hall of Famer.
Williams, long regarded as one of the best to ever play left tackle, will miss his second consecutive game after going down after just one snap against the Chicago Bears last week after sustaining a hamstring injury.
In his absence, Austen Pleasants will try to hold down the fort on the offensive line. However, the bad news for the 49ers does not just end there. Despite fielding one of the most prolific offenses in the league, with eight consecutive games of 20 or more points, they will also face the Seahawks without one of their top playmakers in Pearsall, who is dealing with knee and ankle issues.
Trent Williams and Ricky Pearsall are inactive for tonight’s game.
Full @DignityHealth inactives: https://t.co/ewOZO772g9 pic.twitter.com/RbgnC0nGsq
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 3, 2026
Pearsall has dealt with injuries throughout his career, and those issues have persisted this season, limiting him to nine games. When he has been on the field, however, his production has been undeniable.
The second-year wide receiver has totaled 528 receiving yards this season and has been especially impactful in his last two outings, recording 181 yards on just 11 receptions. For an offense that ranks second in the league in PFSN’s Offense Impact Metric, managing his absence may be possible, particularly with George Kittle returning.
However, given the magnitude of the game and the stakes involved, the two absences along the line could prove to be the difference between earning the No. 1 seed and entering the playoffs as a wild-card team.
