NFL Rumors: 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall Expected to Return Week 5 After Being Shot

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 8, 2024

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The San Francisco 49ers are hopeful that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will play in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Ian Rapoport @RapSheetThe Insiders on @NFLGameDay with @MikeGarafolo and @TomPelissero: When will the #Patriots put Drake Maye on the field? Plans for the #49ers, plus WR Ricky Pearsall could be back Week 5; The #Cowboys and Dak Prescott remain in contact about a contract, plus CeeDee Lamb is jacked. pic.twitter.com/HTYunaDpSG

The Niners placed Pearsall on the reserve/non-football injury list to open the season after he was shot in an attempted robbery. The designation means the first-round pick will miss at least the first four games, making Week 5 the earliest he’s eligible to suit up.

Earlier this week, prosecutors charged a 17-year-old with attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic firearm and second-degree attempted robbery. Authorities allege the teenager shot Pearsall in the chest during a struggle on Aug. 31 in San Francisco.

According to St. John Barned-Smith of the San Francisco Chronicle, Sgt. Joelle Harrell heard the gunshots and arrived at the scene to find Pearsall on the ground. She provided first aid and applied pressure to his entrance and exit wounds before emergency personnel arrived.

The 49ers initially announced Pearsall was in “serious but stable condition” on the day of the shooting. He was released from the hospital the following day.

On Tuesday, 49ers general manager John Lynch responded affirmatively when asked whether the 23-year-old has a chance to play this season.

95.7 The Game @957thegameDo you think Ricky (Pearsall) will make a contribution and get on the field this season?

Lynch: “Oh yeah.” pic.twitter.com/BlkCPwdn5p

By Thursday, Pearsall was attending practice and watching his teammates work out.

David Lombardi @LombardiHimselfRicky Pearsall was shot Saturday and he’s back on the practice field watching his 49ers teammates Thursday pic.twitter.com/F8v1p68oHw

“He’s as tough a person I know, just going through a situation like that,” head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters. “We always felt this way watching him on the football field and things like that. But to watch how he handled that situation and watch how he’s been every day since, it shows how special of a guy he is.”

San Francisco selected Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He spent five seasons at the college level across spells with Arizona State and Florida State. As a fifth-year senior in 2023, he caught 65 passes for 965 yards and four touchdowns.