The San Francisco 49ers have fought through a series of injuries this season as they have posted a 5-3 record so far in the 2025 NFL season. One player who they have counted on to be there is wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.
Pearsall, though, has been dealing with his own injury situation. In fact, Pearsall is not going to be in the lineup on Sunday when the 49ers go against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
What’s Happened to 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall?
Pearsall has been working to get back into the 49ers’ offensive plans, but he’s been healing from a knee injury. Pearsall has been out of action for some time and will miss more time now, too.
“WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) has been ruled OUT for Week 9, per @CamInman,” according to a post on X by SleeperNFL. “In 2024, he returned to practice 44 days after being shot in the chest. It’s been 33 days since he left Week 4 vs. Jacksonville with a PCL sprain”.
According to the PFSN NFL Offense Impact metrics, the 49ers have a PFSN Offense Impact Score of 76.5 and grade out at a C. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan probably has hoped that Pearsall would be able to contribute in a meaningful way as a downfield target for Purdy or even Purdy’s backup, Mac Jones.
Pearsall is in the midst of his second season with the 49ers. Last season, he appeared in 11 games and started in four of them. He had 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns. Pearsall also saw limited action in the run game, having three carries for 45 yards.
Pearsall played his college ball at Arizona State and Florida. In five college football seasons, Pearsall had 159 receptions for 2,420 yards and 14 touchdown catches. As a rusher, he totaled 21 carries for 253 yards and five touchdowns. Pearsall appeared in three bowl games, two with the Sun Devils and one with the Gators.
He split his collegiate playing time between the Pac-12 Conference and the Southeastern Conference. Pearsall was a first-round draft choice (31st overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft by San Francisco.
But it’s been some time since Pearsall has been on the field for the 49ers. Some 49ers fans might be wondering if, or when, Pearsall will return this season. Knee injuries can be tricky things to deal with, and having a PCL issue must be handled carefully.
While the team awaits Pearsall’s return from his knee injury, Purdy will have to find other pass targets downfield on Sunday.