San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan likes what he's seen from the team's first-round draft pick, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. The rookie has been a standout in practices since returning from a hamstring injury, indicating that he could make an immediate impact within a deep receiver group.
"It's tough when you have a hammy, and you got to be very smart getting him back," Shanahan told reporters on Friday. "We've eased him in. He's gone through that real well. He's been real diligent with his rehab and stuff, and I know his reps went up a little bit more today, but it was a low [workload] day overall.
"I think tomorrow will be a much bigger challenge. It's a higher [workload] practice. We've got one-on-ones tomorrow, but I've been real happy with his progress so far."
Pearsall has impressed another 49ers newcomer, cornerback Isaac Yiadom, who is on track to be a big contributor this season.
"I like him a lot," Yiadom said of Pearsall. "I haven't complimented him yet, but I like him a lot. He's a great releaser. I think he runs great routes. I think, if he keep working, and he keep doing his thing, he's going to be great in this offense, great playing in the NFL for a while. So I'm a big fan of him, and I like working against him. Every single opportunity I get, I want to work against him. I think he's making me better. I think him going against me is making him better, too. So I'm a big fan of him."
Pearsall admitted that he has been challenged in his first NFL offseason but believes he is getting better with every opportunity.
"I think I've took big strides since I've got here," Pearsall said on Friday. "In the beginning, yes, it was a little difficult, coming into an offense like this, that's very complex. There's a lot to it, and trying to learn it all in one day is impossible. So I just kind of told myself that over and over again, and just, each day, how I can get better and improve, and knowing the playbook. And I think that I've made big strides to this point."
Pearsall hasn't had trouble transitioning to the 49ers' physical style of play, where receivers are expected to block downfield in the run game.
"It's been cool watching him in the run game," Shanahan said. "He definitely understands our standard. It's not someone we have to call in and be like, 'We need more.' He gets it. He's doing everything he can and just [needs to] continue to get more reps."
On Friday, Pearsall didn't have a pass thrown his way but was still very much involved in the offense, going after the defensive players once one of his offensive teammates caught the football.
Discussing his quick adjustment to the 49ers' style of play, Pearsall explained, "At this point, it's just muscle memory. Luckily, I've had a lot of good coaches in the past, and then obviously [WR] coach [Leonard Hankerson] now, he's just always stressing about finishing the play. So whatever I can do to show that. If it's somebody else catching the ball, going up, and lead-blocking for them, or honestly, just acting like I got the ball and making somebody miss, and imagine it in my head so when it does come my way, then it's second nature."
Something else that has helped Pearsall adjust to life in the NFL is that his locker is next to Brock Purdy's, allowing him to pick the brain of his starting quarterback.
Pearsall noted, "Once you start seeing it through a quarterback's lens, then it just becomes that much easier for a receiver. So just continuing to develop that trust and that connection with him."
