SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall of the San Francisco 49ers made an impressive entry into the NFL on Sunday, just 50 days after surviving a gunshot wound to the chest during a robbery attempt. This remarkable return not only highlights Pearsall’s resilience but also adds a compelling story to his debut.

Pearsall was activated from the non-football injury roster on Saturday, paving the way for him to take the field against the Kansas City Chiefs in a much-anticipated rematch of last year’s Super Bowl. He made his presence felt immediately, participating in the opening drive for San Francisco, showcasing his determination to contribute to his team.

His journey back began earlier this week when he returned to practice on Monday for the first time since the traumatic event that occurred on August 31 in Union Square, San Francisco. After being shot, Pearsall spent a night in the hospital but was fortunate enough to avoid any serious injuries, evading damage to vital organs and nerves. Remarkably, he was back training at the team’s facility just a week later.

Pearsall was a first-round draft pick this past April but had already faced challenges, missing significant training camp due to hamstring and shoulder injuries. Despite these setbacks, he was anticipated to be ready for the season opener; however, the shooting incident temporarily sidelined those hopes.

Before joining the NFL, Pearsall played his college football at Arizona State before transferring to the University of Florida for his final two years. During his last season with the Gators, he recorded 65 receptions, accumulating 965 yards and scoring four touchdowns. Over his entire college career, Pearsall amassed a total of 159 catches for 2,420 yards and 14 touchdowns, demonstrating his potential as a formidable player on the field.