Niners Nation
The full timeline for Ricky Pearsall’s recovery from his shooting injury to taking the field for the 49ers.
Over the past two weeks, the national broadcasts for FOX and NBC have both leaned heavily into the return of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall from his shooting injury this offseason. On Sunday night, they even broadcast the footage of Pearsall being loaded into the ambulance while pressure was applied to the wound by first responders.
During the 2024 NFL Draft, Pearsall was selected at pick number 31 by the San Francisco 49ers. Pearsall was part of a group of 10 receivers picked in the first 37 selections and the first of four consecutive wideouts selected from picks 31 to 34. He spent time with the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Florida Gators as a collegiate receiver. Rookie expectations were tempered in a crowded offense featuring playmakers at key spots.
On August 31st, Pearsall was out in San Francisco looking to buy some luggage for road trips and on his way to a signing event. He was robbed at gunpoint over his Rolex watch and shot in the chest in a struggle over the gun. The incident took place in the middle of the day near Union Square, a popular commercial zone in the city. The suspect was taken into custody immediately while Pearsall was loaded into an ambulance.
Pearsall spent one night in the hospital but was released the following day on September 1st. It’s a remarkably fast turnaround time for a man shot through the chest. He was back at the team facility the next day rehabbing, though not on the field. At the time, general manager John Lynch said Pearsall would absolutely be back during the 2024 season.
NFL teams have two lists for players who are too injured to be on the field. Injured reserve is for players injured on the field or at team facilities. the Non-Football Injury list is for players who are injured away from team facilities. The 49ers used this designation for Pearsall on September 2nd, forcing him to miss at least the team’s first four games of the season and open up a roster spot for a replacement player. Per head coach Kyle Shanahan, it had just as much to do with the mental hurdles than the physical ones.
The 49ers opened Pearsall’s ramp-up window to return in early October. He was really close to returning the week of October 2nd, but San Francisco kept him inactive for one more week.
Quarterback Brock Purdy saw a role for Pearsall as he was returning to the lineup, even with Deebo...
