After watching the Kansas City Chiefs march down the field and score a touchdown in overtime in Super Bowl 58, the San Francisco 49ers have been itching to get back on the field to attempt another Super Bowl run. That included some offseason additions, like drafting Florida WR Ricky Pearsall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Will the 31st overall selection make his NFL regular-season debut tonight? Here’s everything you need to know about Pearsall’s status.
Here’s Why Ricky Pearsall Isn’t Playing Tonight
Unfortunately, the 49ers rookie WR will not be a part of San Francisco’s 2024 home opener after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest during an attempted armed robbery on Aug. 31, 2024. The shooter, a 17-year-old male, tried to steal Pearsall’s Rolex watch, holding the receiver at gunpoint.
A struggle ensued, and multiple shots were fired as both Pearsall and the shooter were hit. According to Pearsall’s mom on social media, the WR was shot in the chest, and the bullet exited out of his back, missing his vital organs. After going to the hospital from the scene in an ambulance, Pearsall was released on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, in “fair” condition.
Given the ordeal, it’s fantastic to see Pearsall back with the team, albeit on the sidelines in street clothes. San Francisco added him to the reserve/non-football injury list, forcing him to miss at least the season’s first four games. While the 49ers are allowing him the time to recover, head coach Kyle Shanahan shared that the WR is in high spirits, even saying he thinks he could play against the Jets.
As for an actual recovery timeline, Pearsall is getting a week of rest before rehabbing the injury to allow the wound to heal free of sweat and bacteria. 49ers general manager John Lynch echoed Shanahan’s words, but Lynch fully expects Pearsall to make a full recovery and play at some point this season.
Pearsall played five seasons of college football for two different programs. He started his collegiate career at Arizona State, getting an extra year of eligibility with the shortened 2020 season due to COVID-19. Pearsall transferred to the University of Florida ahead of the 2022 season and saw his targets increase.
In 25 games with the Gators, Pearsall caught 98 passes for 1,626 yards and nine touchdowns. He also rushed for 253 yards and five touchdowns on his 21 career rushing attempts. With the 49ers’ offensive scheme getting pass catchers involved in the passing and rushing attack, Pearsall’s explosiveness on the ground should allow him to easily slide into the WR3 spot behind Deebo Samuel Sr. and Brandon Aiyuk.
Seeing Pearsall back with the 49ers within a week of the incident is an encouraging sign about the young WR’s mental health. However, considering he’s dealing with a very different type of healing, it will be a few weeks before the rookie makes his 49ers regular-season debut.