San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has yet to make his NFL regular season debut in 2024. Pearsall was placed on the reserve/non-football injury (NFI) list after sustaining a gunshot wound in the chest during an armed robbery attempt in August.
While San Francisco attempts to shake off an unexpected 3-3 start to the regular season, Pearsall has steadily improved and changed his status ahead of a Week 7 showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in a Super Bowl LVIII rematch.
Ricky Pearsall Injury Update Week 7
Pearsall’s 21-day practice window opened on Monday, and he has ramped up his activity each day. After fully participating in practice all week leading up to Week 7, Pearsall was listed as questionable on the final injury report. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday that Pearsall will be activated for Sunday’s game.
Quarterback Brock Purdy made positive statements about the rookie wide receiver, and with Jauan Jennings out with a hip injury, he could need to make his NFL debut.
Brock Purdy on Ricky Pearsall being added into this offense! pic.twitter.com/XTE8dWo2Ys
— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) October 17, 2024
Purdy sees the rookie as a difference-maker and a player that could make life easier for him and other weapons such as Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle.“When you have a guy like Ricky who can win man-to-man matchups, that opens up other guys.”
It is a remarkable comeback from a terrifying situation for Pearsall, one that his teammates are very aware of. Samuel added, “I look at it as a blessing. Anything could have gone wrong, but God was with him in that situation.”
Persall’s addition to the passing game could be even more needed with questions around the backfield. Christian McCaffrey is still on the shelf with his Achilles tendonitis and Jordan Mason is questionable with a shoulder injury sustained in Week 6 against the Seahawks.
First look at Ricky Pearsall running routes and catching passes since he was shot in the chest pic.twitter.com/ksw9b6YvrQ
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) October 16, 2024
In Week 6, Shanahan stated that Pearsall would continue to undergo physical therapy while remaining on the team’s NFI list. Before the unfortunate shooting situation, Pearsall battled a hamstring injury that also limited his participation in training camp.
Therefore, it’s clear that the 49ers are focused on Pearsall making a full recovery before rushing him back onto the football field. With his participation at full capacity, Pearsall has a true opportunity to return in Week 7 against the Chiefs.
Fantasy Implications of Pearsall’s Injury
Jauan Jennings had been the biggest beneficiary among San Francisco’s wide receiver group following Pearsall’s unfortunate injury. While many expected Pearsall to replace Jennings as the team’s WR3 in 2024, Jennings has played like the team’s best WR thus far.
Through the first five games of the regular season, Jennings leads the 49ers with 377 receiving yards. Jennings is also tied with star tight end George Kittle for a team lead with three receiving touchdowns.
SEE MORE: NFL Injury Report
Unfortunately, Jennings will be out in Week 7 after missing the entire week of practices with his hip injury. If Persall plays, he will likely be limited in the number of snaps and would not be a preferred flex play.
Purdy to Deebo, Aiyuk and Pearsall 👀 pic.twitter.com/iIKJ5CWso7
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 17, 2024
Samuel (49 total touches) and Kittle (five touchdowns) will remain the focus of the passing game but Jennings’ potential absence opens up more opportunities for Aiyuk. While he leads the 49ers with 41 targets, he is only third on the team with 23 receptions. Aiyuk has also failed to find the endzone in 2024.