Ricky Pearsall has been turning heads with his route-running precision and big-play ability this season. The San Francisco 49ers’ second-year receiver leads the team in receiving yards and receptions among wide receivers, establishing himself as a key target in the offense.
However, fantasy football managers should proceed with caution as recent developments have cast uncertainty over his immediate availability. A concerning post-game comment following the Jaguars’ loss has raised questions about his physical condition moving forward.
Ricky Pearsall Fantasy Outlook
Outside of the elite, there might not be 10 receivers that impress me more on a route-by-route basis than second-year 49er Ricky Pearsall, but he’s been infected with the San Francisco-itis, and I’m not sure mankind has the cure.
He’s been banged up seemingly all season, and QB Brock Purdy’s toe clearly impacted how he was stepping into throws in his return to action. A healthy version of this connection could land him in lineups every week, but I’m just not sure we get to see it any time soon.
In last week’s loss against Jacksonville, the former Florida Gator tallied four catches on five targets for 46 yards. This season, he leads the team with 327 receiving yards. He also leads receivers with 20 receptions — only RB Christian McCaffrey has more with 31. The next closest designated pass catcher is Jauan Jennings with nine catches for 129 yards.
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Pearsall said he had “a little bit of instability” in his knee after the loss to the Jaguars. I’m not a doctor, but “instability” isn’t exactly a word I love to hear for a big-play maker like this (30-plus yard reception in three of four games with a 15.9-yard aDOT).
There is a whole lot to like here and I hope we get the full version on display with time. For right now, however, this situation has more risk than reward and I’m looking elsewhere to fill my flex.
This is amplified by the news on Wednesday afternoon that backup Mac Jones is expected to make a third straight start while Purdy continues rehabbing his turf toe injury.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Kyle Soppe
