After a dominant three-game homestand, the Los Angeles Rams are back on the road for a pivotal Week 10 clash with the San Francisco 49ers — a matchup that could reshape the NFC West race. Los Angeles has rolled through Baltimore, Jacksonville, and New Orleans, outscoring those opponents by a combined 87–20, while San Francisco sits just a half-game back at 6–3 after rebounding from a loss to Houston.
The Rams are 3.5-point road favorites, according to the latest odds, as both teams prepare for a rematch of their dramatic Week 5 overtime thriller — one that ended with a 49ers field goal and a crucial fourth-down stop. But heading into this rematch, San Francisco’s injury situation is front and center.
Support Local and Independent Sports Writing – Subscribe To the LAFB Network Today!
Bryce Huff Expected Back; Pearsall, Brendel Questionable
Get your Puka-Flex T-Shirt Here
There was at least some encouraging news for the 49ers. Shanahan said the team expects edge rusher Bryce Huff to return this week after missing two games with a hamstring injury.
“We expect to get Huff back this week, so it’s good to get another one back,” Shanahan said.
Meanwhile, center Jake Brendel (hamstring) and receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) are both questionable and will be evaluated further midweek.
“They couldn’t confirm today he’d be available this week,” Shanahan noted of Pearsall, “but we’ll take it day by day.”
One player who won’t return soon is Brandon Aiyuk, whose recovery from last year’s ACL and MCL tears is still ongoing. Shanahan confirmed the team will not open Aiyuk’s practice window this week.
49ers Lose Rookie DE Mykel Williams for the Season
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the worst on Monday: rookie defensive end Mykel Williams suffered a torn ACL and lateral meniscus and will undergo season-ending surgery.
“I believe there was a lateral meniscus also, but they said it was a good one,” Shanahan told reporters. “His career will be fine from it. It’ll heal great.”
Shanahan expressed disappointment not in the decision to draft Williams — which he said he would “do the exact same thing over again” — but in losing a young player who was just starting to hit his stride.
“I hurt for him that he isn’t going to continue developing through this year,” Shanahan said. “We got a hell of a player who was figuring it out in the run game and pass game.”
Williams’ absence leaves a significant void — the rookie had played 66 percent of San Francisco’s defensive snaps through the first half of the season.
A Critical NFC West Test Awaits
With the Rams surging and the 49ers shorthanded, Sunday’s matchup at Levi’s Stadium (4:25 p.m. ET) carries enormous implications. A San Francisco win would pull them ahead of Los Angeles and secure the head-to-head tiebreaker — while a Rams victory would establish firm control of the division entering the season’s stretch run.
Subscribe to LAFB Network’s Los Angeles Rams YouTube Channel
