San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is just seven weeks removed from being shot in the chest during a robbery attempt. The team opened his practice window this week, and the young wideout has impressed. While it initially seemed unlikely that Pearsall would be ready for this weekend's matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, his rapid progress has impressed the coaches and staff.
General manager John Lynch joined Bay Area radio station KNBR on Friday morning and was asked about Pearsall's chances of playing on Sunday.
"Absolutely, there's a chance," Lynch said. "He's had a good practice week. Our mindset, we opened his window earlier this week. So, the rules are, when you're on [the non-football injury list], you can work off to the side. And our strength coaches, trainers do a tremendous job of kind of building the volume to the side. But that's different than going out there and practicing football with our players, with 22 people on the field, all of those things.
"To Ricky's credit, after just a horrific situation, he responded extremely well physically, and attacked the work to get himself back, and just kept working, and did everything he could to the side to the point where it was time to kind of unleash him and open that window."
While Pearsall was exhausted after Monday's bonus practice, his first since the August 31 incident, Lynch noted that the rookie performed well in Wednesday and Thursday's sessions.
"We've got to see how he responds today," Lynch continued. "We'll make a decision as to whether he's out there, but I think it's trending in a good direction, and I can't say enough about the kid and the way he's handled this whole deal.
"There's a reason we picked him where we picked him. He's a really good football player who we believe is going to help this team now and into the future, and that could start this weekend."
Lynch highlighted why the team selected Pearsall with the 31st overall pick, emphasizing the young receiver's professionalism and physical abilities.
"He's a technician. He's got a lot in his body," Lynch said. "He's a professional who's always going to be in tip-top shape. Yesterday, we were looking at all our guys who vertical over 40 inches. Ricky's one of those, so there's some rare explosion and things like that in his body as well. But then, he's a real savvy and smart player.
"Rickey had a lot of qualities—toughness, really good hands, confidence, all those things, production. There was a lot that went into drafting Ricky where we drafted him. We won't rush it. We won't put too much on him. But I think, at the right time, he's going to contribute and contribute in a big way for our team."
Third kicker in three games?
Lynch also indicated that the 49ers will likely elevate kicker Anders Carlson from the practice squad for Sunday's game, meaning the team could field its third kicker in as many games.
Jake Moody suffered a high-ankle sprain during a tackle on special teams in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. Matthew Wright was brought in to replace Moody. He also sustained shoulder and back injuries in Week 6, also during a tackle on special teams.
"Anders is a guy who had a tremendous workout, who we think highly of and could be a high likelihood that he's getting an opportunity," Lynch said. "He's on our practice squad, but we can flex him up, and then he'll be kicking on Sunday. We'll see here today. But likely the way that that's going to go."
You can listen to Lynch's entire interview below.