Ricky Pearsall expected back to practice on Monday amid hamstring strain

The San Francisco 49ers were enamored with the talent of Ricky Pearsall coming out of Florida, so much that they decided to nab him late in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Unfortunately for Pearsall, he’s been dealing with a hamstring strain in his first training camp. According to Matt Barrows, the former Gators star is expected back at practice on Monday.

Two other 49ers draft picks have also been missing practice, Isaac Guerendo and Jacob Cowing. They’ve had the same issue and have been dealing with a hamstring strain.

Pearsall was selected by the 49ers with the No. 31 overall pick out of Florida in 2024 NFL Draft. In San Francisco, he joins one of the most loaded skill position rooms in the NFL. He began his college career at Arizona State.

Pearsall and the 49ers came to terms on his rookie contract in late June, signing a four-year rookie deal. He was the last of the 49ers’ rookie class to officially ink his first contract.

His contract has a total sum of $12.5 million, which is fully guaranteed. As a first-round pick, the former Gator’s contract also comes with a fifth-year option for the 49ers. If San Francisco chooses to keep him around through the 2028 season, they’ll exercise the fifth-year option after his third year in the league.

Pearsall emerged as one of the biggest up-and-comers in the draft process after impressive workouts at the NFL Combine and at his Pro Day. At the NFL Combine, Pearsall turned in a blazing 4.41-second 40-yard dash at 6 foot 1, 189 pounds. He also recorded a 10-9 broad jump and a 42-inch vertical jump.

Pearsall was the top target for the Gators and had a productive two seasons with the Gators after transferring in from Arizona State. He nearly reached 1,000 yards receiving as a senior, topping out at 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns.

In five college seasons, Pearsall totaled 159 catches for 2,420 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also showed some ability running out of the backfield, scoring five rushing touchdowns.

Pearsall deemed ‘best fit’ of 2024 NFL Draft’s first-rounders

Pearsall was the best fit among all the first-round draft picks, according to SEC Network’s Chris Doering. Doering, a former Gator wide receiver himself, loves Pearsall as a pass-catching option for the San Francisco 49ers. The NFC Champions currently have Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, but the addition of Pearsall is a big one.

“We were asked to select our best fit and as I was going through the draft, I was thinking about a couple of guys,” Doering said on SEC Radio on Sirius XM. “Not only do I know Ricky well, I also know Kyle Shanahan very well and I know the style of offense that he runs and I know the type of receivers that he wants to play in that offense. 

“And I know what he does with the versatility of those guys. So that to me was the best first round fit of any of the SEC guys that came off the board.” 

“When you look at Ricky Pearsall, I felt Kyle (said) he does everything,” Doering added. “And not only does he do everything, but he’s willing to do everything, he’s willing to do the dirty things, he’s willing to fight for the extra yards after the catch. He’s willing to be a blocker in the run game. 

“Are you willing to help other people out with what he does in terms of running decoy routes and getting other people open? So like, I just love a guy that’s selfless like that.”

On3’s Nikki Chavanelle also contributed to this article.