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Pearsall's Injury Worries as Colts' Defense Gains Strength

12/20/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Ricky Pearsall missed his second straight San Francisco 49ers practice with ankle and knee injuries from the Titans game.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan remains hopeful Pearsall will play in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday.
The Colts' cornerback Sauce Gardner is unlikely to play.
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is trending toward returning, which could bolster the Colts' defense.

History

Historical Context

The NFL's concussion crisis intensified in 2011 when the league implemented stricter protocols after a 21% rise in injuries during the 2010 season. This followed years of criticism over player safety and the long-term effects of head trauma, highlighted by the discovery of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in former players. Today, teams like the San Francisco 49ers continue to grapple with injury management and player health.

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Story summary

Ricky Pearsall missed his second straight San Francisco 49ers practice with ankle and knee injuries from the Titans game.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan remains hopeful Pearsall will play in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday.
The Colts' cornerback Sauce Gardner is unlikely to play.
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is trending toward returning, which could bolster the Colts' defense.

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