Ricky Pearsall injury update: 49ers make decision on rookie WR ahead of Chiefs game

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is officially active against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Pearsall hasn’t played this season after suffering a gunshot wound in August.

Pearsall was shot in the chest on Aug. 31 by a teenager, who was allegedly attempting to steal his watch. Pearsall was reportedly en route to an autograph signing and was shot during a struggle for the gun. The suspect was also shot in that struggle. Pearsall was treated at San Francisco General Hospital and released the following day. 

Ricky Pearsall returned to practice this week. When a player returns from the IR, they can come back on a 21-day practice window. This policy allows them to practice without impacting the 53-man roster and once that window closes and those three weeks are up, the team can either activate the player fully or put them on season-ending IR.

Evidently, the 49ers didn’t need the full 21-day period to decide Pearsall was ready to play. Pearsall will provide the 49ers with some much-needed depth on offense. The 49ers have battled the injury bug this season, with running back Christian McCaffrey yet to play a game and WR Deebo Samuel missing time.

In five collegiate seasons, Pearsall totaled 159 catches for 2,420 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also showed off his legs from time to time, tallying five rushing TDs. The 49ers selected Pearsall with the No. 31 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Ahead of the draft, NFL insider Lance Zierlein evaluated Pearsall’s potential at the next level.

“Dependable slot target with good size and soft hands who will need to prove that he has the ability to free himself against NFL man coverage,” Zierlein wrote. “Pearsall might get the stereotypical ‘crafty route runner’ label, but it suits him.

“He appears to play with an idea of how to manipulate certain coverage looks and leverages. He also plays with attention to detail and a consistent route tempo to create windows, but lacks ideal foot quickness to beat press and maintain separation.”