While the San Francisco 49ers continue to struggle with the dreaded injury bug, one of their sidelined players seems to be nearing a return.
Rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who was shot in the chest during an armed robbery attempt during the preseason, has returned to practice and his NFL debut could be imminent.
Though there is no definitive word on when Pearsall will play, quarterback Brock Purdy said he has a specific ability that will help the offense once he takes the field.
“When you have a guy like Ricky who can win man-to-man matchups, that opens up other guys,” Purdy said, via David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard.
Pearsall was the No. 31 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida, and though he didn’t put up big-time stats and wasn’t one of the most heralded prospects coming out of college, there has been hope he can eventually break into the Niners’ rotation.
He does possess ample speed and has shown his grit and toughness since the armed robbery attempt.
He walked under his own power to a waiting ambulance and spent just one night in the hospital, and right away, he was already thinking about his return to game action.
San Francisco also has been without star running back Christian McCaffrey, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw, among others, so any contribution from Pearsall would be welcome.
The Niners host the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in a Week 7 rematch of last season’s Super Bowl.
The Chiefs have injury woes of their own, with wideout Rashee Rice and running back Isiah Pacheco out of action.
