San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall made his NFL debut in a 28-18 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7. The Arizona native came into the game as the assumed third option for quarterback Brock Purdy with Jauan Jennings (hip) ruled out, but inherited even more snaps after Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Deebo Samuel (illness) left during the game. Pearsall missed the first six weeks of the season due to a gunshot wound and received a standing ovation from the home crowd after his first catch. He finished with three receptions on five targets for 21 yards. If Aiyuk has torn his ACL as feared, Pearsall will be worth a look on waivers, although the situation is muddied by the probable return of Jennings in Week 8, not to mention fellow rookie Jacob Cowing having a few games more experience and a more impactful performance today. Pearsall is the better bet long-term though, as San Francisco waited until the fourth round to take Cowing after taking Pearsall in the first. The 49ers get the Dallas Cowboys at home on Sunday Night Football in Week 8.
Ricky Pearsall Officially Active For NFL Debut Sunday
San Francisco 49ers rookie first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) is active for Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. He had been listed as questionable but was expected to play after being activated from the non-football injury list. The rookie pass-catcher, who will make his NFL debut on Sunday, was sidelined for the first six weeks after being shot during an armed robbery attempt. He'll presumably operate as the 49ers' No. 3 receiver behind Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel this week.
Ricky Pearsall Activated From Reserve/Non-Football Injury List
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) was activated from the Reserve/Non-Football Injury List on Saturday. While the rookie was in line to play along, the latest update makes things official. He was shot in the chest during an armed robbery attempt before the start of the 2024-25 campaign, so the Week 7 meeting with the Chiefs will mark his official debut. However, it's tough to say how much work Pearsall will receive. But even if he plays more than expected, he'll need to battle with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel Sr., and George Kittle for targets.
San Francisco 49ers first-round rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) was removed from the final injury report on Friday and will make his NFL debut in Week 7 on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers will need to officially activate Pearsall from the Non-Football Injury list on Saturday. Meanwhile, Jauan Jennings (hip) will be inactive. The 24-year-old Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt just before the start of the regular season, so this will be his first game action of 2024. There's opportunity behind Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel against the Chiefs, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect Pearsall to have a big role on offense in his first game. Instead, Chris Conley is the favorite to see increased snaps in three-wide sets. Pearsall should eventually have a bigger role, but for now, he's only worth stashing in deep leagues and dynasty/keeper formats.
Ricky Pearsall Has A Good Chance To Debut This Weekend
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) has a good chance to make his professional debut this weekend, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Barrows further noted that general manager John Lynch expressed that the rookie wideout has had a good practice weekend. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report as it should clarify the 24-year-old's status heading into the weekend. Pearsall has been sidelined since suffering a gunshot wound before the opening week. If Pearsall can suit up, fantasy managers should consider stashing him on their bench but should be cautious inserting him into their lineup as he will likely operate as the No.4 pass-catching option in this offense behind Deebo Samuel Sr., Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) remained a full participant in practice on Thursday. The rookie is recovering from a gunshot wound he suffered less than two months ago during an armed robbery attempt. He missed the first six games of the year on the non-football list but appears to be on the verge of being activated and making his NFL debut. Pearsall has one more practice to showcase that he's healthy and ready to go before the 49ers release their final injury report. Presumably, if he logs one more full practice, he'd be activated on Saturday and good to go on Sunday. There's a chance Pearsall could immediately step in as the 49ers' No. 3 receiver with Jauan Jennings (hip) trending in the wrong direction for Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. Although Pearsall is still on the non-football injury list as a result of being shot during an armed robbery attempt in the preseason, he's one step closer to making his NFL debut after the 49ers opened his 21-day practice window earlier this week. Essentially, the 49ers have three weeks to activate Pearsall from the non-football injury list. During that span, he can practice with the team, but he can't appear in a game until he's activated. If 21 days pass and Pearsall is still not activated, he's done for the season. As of now, it appears as though the rookie is trending in the right direction and will be able to make his NFL debut sooner rather than later. He's presumably competing with Jauan Jennings for the No. 3 role behind Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) returned to practice on Monday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. This was the first time the first-round selection returned to the field after suffering a gunshot wound last month. Last week, head coach Kyle Shanahan said that the team would be opening Pearsall's 21-day practice window. This is a great sign to see the Florida product already back with the team early in the week and participating in practice. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the injury report throughout the week, as the rookie will likely be eased into action given how much time he missed. For now, the 24-year-old remains a stash candidate in deeper formats until he earns a consistent role in the San Francisco passing attack.
Ricky Pearsall's Practice Window To Open This Week
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) is set to have his practice window open this week, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. The first-round pick has been sidelined with a chest injury that was caused by a gunshot wound. Once his practice window opens, the Florida product will have 21 days to get prepared to make his professional debut. Fantasy managers should expect Pearsall to be deployed as the No. 3/No. 4 wide receiver in the San Francisco's offense when he returns. For now, he is worth stashing in deeper leagues but should be left on the waiver wire in shallow formats.
San Francisco 49ers rookie first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) will resume practicing next week. Pearsall might have had his practice window opened this week if not for a quick turnaround with a Thursday night tilt in Week 6 against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. The 24-year-old will instead return to practice next week, and the 49ers will have 21 days to activate him from the Non-Football Injury list. Pearsall missed a good chunk of time in training camp with a hamstring injury and then was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt right before the start of the regular season. It's great news that Pearsall is nearing a return to practice, but we'd expect the Niners to use the full 21-day window to get him up to speed. And when Pearsall does, he'll be battling for snaps behind Deebo Samuel Sr., Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings. Pearsall is a dynasty/keeper stash, at best.
