This week, the Indianapolis Colts (8-6) will host Monday Night Football for the first time since 2022 when they take on the San Francisco 49ers (10-4) at Lucas Oil Stadium.
While some prominent players will be absent from the primetime match, others are still questionable. Injuries to important offensive and defensive players might affect how the game plays out with playoff implications on the line.
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Who is ruled out in 49ers?
The San Francisco 49ers will be without wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who has been officially ruled out due to a knee and ankle injury suffered in last week’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
Pearsall did not practice all week and failed to clear the final hurdle for Monday night’s game.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the team's final practice, “He was close, but not close enough.”
{{/usCountry}}Head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the team's final practice, “He was close, but not close enough.”
{{/usCountry}}The 49ers will now be forced to adjust their receiving rotation without one of their emerging threats.
Along with Pearsall, cornerback Renardo Green will also be sidelined because of a lingering injury. QB Kurtis Rourke, who remains on injured reserve with a knee issue, will also not play. Defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos remains questionable with a hamstring injury.
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The Colts will play without Gradner and Richardson
The Colts will be missing two key contributors on defence and offence, cornerback Sauce Gardner and quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Gardner remains OUT due to a persisting calf injury that has kept him off the field for multiple games.
Richardson, on the other hand, had practised with the team but was again ruled out due to lingering issues with his eye injury.
Additionally, wide receiver Anthony Gould (foot), Safety Daniel Scott (knee), and left tackle Bernhard Raimann (elbow) will remain out because of injury (mentioned in brackets).
The return of defensive end DeForest Buckner from injured reserve is a major plus for Indianapolis. He strengthens the front seven against a strong 49ers attack and could help offset some of the secondary loss.