SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall of the San Francisco 49ers returned to practice on Monday, marking his first appearance on the field since suffering a chest gunshot wound during a robbery attempt just nine days prior to the season opener.
The 49ers have allowed Pearsall to practice while he remains on the non-football injury list, providing the team a three-week window to decide on his activation. Coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned that there isn’t a set timeline for Pearsall’s return to game play as of last week.
“I saw him warming up, and I just couldn’t help but smile because I realize how significant he could be for our team,” commented rookie guard Dominick Puni. “More than that, it’s just fantastic to see him back out there after everything he has gone through.”
Pearsall’s presence offered a morale boost to the 49ers, especially following the harrowing incident on August 31 when he was shot in San Francisco’s Union Square. Fortunately, no major organs or nerves were harmed, and he only required an overnight hospital stay. He returned to workouts at the team’s facility the following week.
During a media-accessible segment of practice, Pearsall was spotted showing enthusiasm on the field, even breaking down the team huddle both before and after the session.
Jacob Cowing, another rookie receiver, remarked that he recognized Pearsall’s special qualities when they first met in January during combine preparations, a sentiment that has only grown stronger over recent months. “Seeing him handle all the challenges thrown his way in recent months — just the way he’s fought hard and pushed to get back in shape — is inspiring. It feels amazing for everyone to see him donning the helmet and jersey again, having fun with the team.”
Pearsall, who was drafted in the first round in April, did miss a major portion of the training camp due to hamstring and shoulder injuries but was reportedly on target for the season opener prior to the shooting.
Kicking off his college career at Arizona State, Pearsall later transferred to Florida, where he spent his last two seasons. Last year, he achieved 65 receptions for 965 yards and four touchdowns for the Gators, concluding his college journey with a total of 159 catches, 2,420 yards, and 14 touchdowns.
In other news, running back Jordan Mason was observed in a blue non-contact jersey due to a sprained AC joint sustained during a recent game against Seattle. The 49ers remain optimistic about his participation in the upcoming game against Kansas City, which is a Super Bowl rematch. Additionally, safety Malik Mustapha (ankle) and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (knee) were seen working on the sidelines. Cornerback Charvarius Ward (knee), linebacker Fred Warner (ankle), tight end George Kittle (ribs), and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf) all participated in practice in uniform.
