49ers and Seahawks Prepare for Divisional Playoff Showdown

Ricky Pearsall Jr. is back in action for the San Francisco 49ers as they face off against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL divisional playoff game. Pearsall, a key player for the team, was seen on the field during warmups, showing his determination to return to play after a long recovery from a knee injury. His presence on the roster is a significant boost for the 49ers, especially considering his previous contributions on the field.

In addition to Pearsall, Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold is also active for the game. However, Darnold was notably late for warmups, joining fellow quarterbacks Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe. This delay could be attributed to the high-stakes nature of the matchup, as both teams are eager to secure a spot in the next round of the playoffs.

For the 49ers, several players were listed as inactive for the game. Among them is safety Ji’Ayir Brown, who missed practice all week due to a hamstring strain. He will be replaced by Marques Sigle, a rookie who showed promise with eight tackles in 40 snaps during the 49ers’ wild-card win over Philadelphia. Other inactives include linebacker Luke Gifford, who missed the wildcard game due to a quad injury, and starting linebacker Dee Winters, who was sidelined with an ankle injury.

Additional players not making the cut for the 49ers include running back Isaac Guerendo, wide receiver Jordan Watkins, defensive linemen Brandon Beal Jr., Kevin Givens, tackle Brandon Parker, and defensive lineman Sebastian Valdez. Parker and Valdez were promoted from the practice squad, highlighting their performance during training sessions.

Darnold’s absence from practice on Thursday and Friday due to an oblique strain has raised some concerns. However, he has not missed a game due to injury in the last two years, indicating his resilience and commitment to the sport. Pearsall, on the other hand, expressed optimism about his return while acknowledging that he hasn’t run at full speed since Week 4 of the regular season when he sustained his knee injury against Jacksonville.

In nine games this season, Pearsall has recorded 36 receptions for 528 yards. His rookie season, which began as a first-round draft pick from Florida, faced challenges after he suffered a gunshot wound during a robbery attempt at Union Square on August 31, 2024. Over 20 games across two seasons, Pearsall has accumulated 67 catches for 928 yards and three touchdowns.

Before his recent injury, Pearsall had notable performances, including four receptions for 107 yards in a 22-17 win over Seattle, featuring a 45-yard sideline reception that contributed to the winning score. He also had eight catches for 117 yards in a Week win over Arizona. In the 49ers’ 42-38 victory over the Bears, Pearsall had eight receptions for 85 yards but reinjured his knee, leading to his absence from the last two games.

Inactives for the Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks also have several inactives for the game, including Jalen Milroe, linebacker Jared Ivey, guard/tackle Josh Jones, tackle/guard Mason Richman, defensive end Rylie Mills, and guard Bryce Cabeldue. These decisions reflect the strategic choices made by the coaching staff to optimize the team’s performance on the field.

Klay Kubiak’s Potential Coaching Opportunities

Klay Kubiak, a highly regarded assistant coach under head coach Kyle Shanahan, is reportedly in the running for head coaching positions with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Las Vegas Raiders. Kubiak, 37, is the brother of Klint Kubiak, the Seattle offensive coordinator, whose name is also circulating for various coaching vacancies in the NFL.

The Kubiak brothers are the sons of Gary Kubiak, who served as head coach for the Houston Texans and the Denver Broncos, including a Super Bowl 50 victory at Levi’s Stadium. Klay Kubiak is one of eight known candidates invited to interview with the Steelers to replace long-time head coach Mike Tomlin. The Raiders have also reached out to 13 different candidates to replace Pete Carroll.

Shanahan recently praised Kubiak, stating, “Klay doesn’t get enough recognition. He’s as good as anyone I’ve had and is responsible for as much if not more than the gameplan as myself. Klay’s a stud.” Kubiak’s innovative approach was evident in the “Skyy Bang Reverse Pass,” which led to a 29-yard touchdown pass from Jauan Jennings to Christian McCaffrey against Philadelphia.

Kubiak is also being considered for play-calling coordinator roles, a position currently held by Shanahan for the 49ers. If still under contract, the 49ers could block any potential moves by Kubiak to other teams.

Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh’s Interview Hopes

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has been actively involved in interviews for potential coaching opportunities. He recently interviewed with the Miami Dolphins and is set to meet with the Arizona Cardinals. Additional interviews are expected on Sunday, signaling his interest in new challenges within the NFL.