The Indianapolis Colts are preparing to host the San Francisco 49ers in a highly anticipated “Monday Night Football” matchup as part of NFL Week 16. With both teams gearing up for this crucial game, the focus is on the health of key players, especially wide receivers.
On the Colts’ sideline, Alec Pierce is recovering from an Achilles injury and was limited in Thursday’s practice. Meanwhile, the 49ers are monitoring wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who is dealing with ankle and knee issues and did not participate in practice.
In addition to Pierce, the Colts are keeping an eye on defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (neck), left tackle Bernard Raimann (elbow), and cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf). Notably, quarterback Anthony Richardson returned to practice for the first time in several weeks, along with safety Daniel Scott, who is recovering from a knee injury.
For the 49ers, several starters’ statuses are uncertain. Key players like guard Spencer Burford, defensive end Sam Okuayinonu, linebacker Tatum Bethune, and cornerback Renardo Green are being observed closely, as they all face different injury concerns this week.
As reported for the Colts, specifically on December 18, the following players did not practice: wide receiver Josh Downs (rest), cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf), and left tackle Bernhard Raimann (elbow). Limited participation was seen from Pierce and Richardson, while a number of other players, including running back Ameer Abdullah and guard Quenton Nelson, fully participated in practice.
The 49ers’ injury report featured a group of players who sat out practice on Thursday, including guard Spencer Burford (knee, ankle) and running back Christian McCaffrey (rest). Limited participation included linebacker Tatum Bethune and cornerback Renardo Green, while quarterback Kurtis Rourke was able to participate fully despite dealing with a knee issue.
Both teams are looking to solidify their playoff positioning, making this game critical for their respective seasons. With the injury reports closely watched by fans and analysts alike, the outcome may hinge on which team can better manage their injuries as they prepare to meet on the field.