It has been a little over six weeks since San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery while shopping for luggage in San Francisco. The team opened his practice window this week, allowing the first-year player to step back onto the field with his teammates on Monday for the first time since the incident.
Pearsall was in the 49ers' locker room on Wednesday, preparing for his second practice since the August shooting. During an informal chat with reporters, he expressed enthusiasm, saying he feels "ready to roll" and eager to rejoin his team.
Multi-sport athlete Ricky Pearsall 👀 pic.twitter.com/Z8Zb6PbbqV
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) October 16, 2024
However, Pearsall noted that his timeline for returning to the active roster is ultimately in the hands of the 49ers, who will decide when to activate him from the non-football injury (NFI) list. He shared that he was thrilled to test his stamina on Monday, particularly during a two-minute drill.
Ricky had a very friendly, unofficial chat with several reporters in the locker room -- so no official quotes -- but he says he's feeling ready to roll and is not sure what 49ers activation plans are for him. He loved getting in the two-minute drill that tested his stamina Monday https://t.co/zy3FcJV9jz
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) October 16, 2024
"We let him break the team down," head coach Kyle Shanahan said, reflecting on Pearsall's first day back at practice. "He was excited. We didn't do much. We just had one two-minute drill. He was out of breath from it, so we were messing with him, trying to get him to talk right away.
"It was more just because he was so excited to be out there and stuff. But it was a good first day, and pumped to see him out there this afternoon."
Ricky's got moves … pic.twitter.com/zB537V8oT4
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) October 16, 2024
Shanahan added, "I think the guys are just happy for him. They know he's wanted to be a part of this. It's been a crazy story ... he's worked to get here, and I know the guys are just excited for him and ready to support him, help him come along."
Despite the difficult circumstances, wide receiver Deebo Samuel prefers to see a silver lining in Pearsall's return.
"I look at it as a blessing," Samuel said. "Anything could have went wrong, but God was with him in the situation, and we're always glad to get him back. He's been excited. He's never left the building and [he's been] here every day, just doing the best he can to get back."
Deebo Samuel on having Ricky Pearsall back: "I look at it as a blessing, anything could of went gone wrong. But God was with him in that situation." pic.twitter.com/87Eol8HqzR
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 16, 2024