Live 49ers-Seahawks updates: NFC West title hangs in balance on Saturday night
Follow along with live updates on the game at the bottom of this story…
SANTA CLARA — If the 49ers are to win the top seed in the NFC with a potential home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and Super Bowl, they’ll have to do it without left tackle Trent Williams and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr.
Both were declared inactive Saturday for the 49ers’ Week 18 game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium.
Williams, 37, was listed as questionable with a hamstring strain sustained on the first play from scrimmage in the 49ers’ 42-38 win over the Chicago Bears last Sunday night. He was hurt chasing T.J. Edwards, who returned a Brock Purdy interception 35 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the game.
It counted as having played in the game, giving Williams his first 16-game season since 2013 with Washington. He has yet to play a full season since then — with the season going to a 17-game schedule in 2021.
For Pearsall, it will be his eighth missed game of the season. He caught five passes fo 85 yards in last week’s 42-38 win over Chicago before reinjuring his posterior cruciate ligament. In nine games, Pearsall has 36 receptions for 528 yards and no touchdowns.
The absence of Williams and Pearsall will thrust Austen Pleasants and Kendrick Bourne into more substantial roles. Pleasants subbed for Williams last week and held his own in 71 snaps. Bourne has 37 receptions for 551 yards in 15 games with eight starts since signing as a free agent after Week 1 while Brandon Aiyuk (knee) was rehabbing and Jauan Jennings was fighting through injury and dealing with a contract matter.
Jennings is the 49ers’ leading wide receiver with 51 receptions for 608 yards and a career high nine touchdowns, eight of which have come in the last eight games.
Other inactives for the 49ers are cornerback Chase Lucas, running back Isaac Guerendo, defensive end Robert Beal Jr., linebacker Curtis Robinson and defensive lineman Kevin Givens.
A tip on Williams’ status came when the 49ers elevated Brandon Parker from the practice squad. Parker is an offensive tackle who has yet to be active this season and will serve as depth behind Pleasants. Also promoted was linebacker Eric Kendricks.
Parker, 30, played in 59 games with the Oakland and Las Vegas Raiders with 33 starts after being a third-round draft pick out of North Carolina A&T. He has also spent time on the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons.
Kendricks was signed Nov. 26 after leading the Dallas Cowboys in tackles last season and could play in place of either Tatum Bethune in the middle or Dee Winters at weakside linebacker if needed.
Teams are allowed to activate practice squad players three times before adding them to the 53-man roster, but the clock starts in the playoffs, which means Kendricks could remain on the practice squad and still be able to play in the postseason for the 49ers, whether it’s next weekend or the following weekend, should they secure the bye with a win over Seattle.
Aside from Pearsall and Williams, tight end George Kittle (ankle), cornerback Upton Stout (concussion) and defensive end Keion White (groin) were listed as questionable but are active and expected to play.
Serving as captains for the 49ers are fullback Kyle Juszczyk, Kittle, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir and running back Christian McCaffrey.
Inactives for Seattle were quarterback Jalen Milroe, safety Coby Bryant, linebacker Jared Ivey, tackle Charles Cross, tackle Mason Richmond and tight end Nick Kallerup.