49ers' Trent Williams 'confident' he'll play vs. Eagles; Ricky Pearsall questionable
Williams was limited at practice Thursday and Friday, while Pearsall did not practice all week.
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San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams will be a game-time decision for Sunday’s wild-card round game against the Philadelphia Eagles, though he said Friday he’s “confident” he will play. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall remains more of a question mark.
Both players were listed as questionable Friday, though Williams has practiced in a limited capacity the last two days, while Pearsall has not participated this week.
Williams said he was confident he’d play Sunday but acknowledged he is returning from his hamstring strain earlier than is ideal.
“Honestly, I’m kind of pushing the limits on how much (time) is required for it,” Williams said in front of his locker Friday. “So it will probably be in the back of my mind for a little bit. But once I get out there and get the juices flowing and the adrenaline going, I don’t think it should be a big problem.”
Williams suffered the injury Dec. 28 while chasing down a Chicago Bears linebacker on the first snap of the game. He said he reached nearly 18 mph on the play. That’s not his highest speed, but the fact it was the game’s first snap might have meant his legs weren’t properly warmed up. Williams, 37, said it was the first hamstring strain he’s ever experienced.
“When I felt it, I kept running,” he said. “Because I didn’t really know exactly what it was then. As I started to slow down, (the discomfort) started to get a little more consistent. That’s when I realized I did something.”
Trent Williams says he will be a game-time decision but feels “confident” he will play Sunday. #49ers
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) January 9, 2026
Williams sounding optimistic for Sunday is a good sign for San Francisco. Since 2020, the 49ers are 61-32 with Williams and 4-13 without him.
Missing an entire week of practice puts Pearsall’s status in significant doubt. He aggravated his knee against the Bears and did not play in the 49ers’ Week 18 bout against the Seattle Seahawks. He’s battled injuries all season, appearing in just nine games. The second-year wideout hasn’t experienced the breakout campaign some envisioned, posting 36 receptions for 528 yards.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said that Pearsall could play even though the receiver didn’t make it to the practice field Friday. Pearsall ran and caught passes on a side field during Thursday’s practice but apparently wasn’t up to that the following day.
Pearsall is listed as questionable on the injury report — as are the other six 49ers players listed. He didn’t play last week after aggravating his posterior cruciate ligament injury. Pearsall’s speed and ability to beat man-to-man coverage were sorely missed against the Seahawks. Demarcus Robinson and Kendrick Bourne would replace Pearsall, lining up opposite Jauan Jennings.