San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall endured significant adversity during his rookie NFL season. After being shot in the chest ahead of the start of the regular season, Pearsall was forced to wait until Week 7 to finally make his NFL debut.
He finished the season with 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns, steadily improving as the year went on. Pearsall shined particularly in the final two games, recording 210 receiving yards and two touchdowns, flashing the potential that made him a first-round pick.
Is Pearsall poised for a breakout sophomore campaign? According to ESPN's Ben Solak, one critical question still lingers: Does Pearsall have the trust of head coach Kyle Shanahan?
"It usually takes time for rookie 49ers receivers," Solak explained. "Neither Deebo Samuel Sr. nor Brandon Aiyuk were overnight sensations for Shanahan, and the same arc should be expected for Pearsall, especially when you consider the time he sat out because of injury in his rookie year. Pearsall had one splashy game against the Lions late last season, but he otherwise stayed quiet on the stat sheet."
During his first nine games, Pearsall averaged about three targets per outing. But in the final two contests of the season, he was targeted 18 times and caught 14 of those passes.
"I will say: The film shows a high-caliber route runner who should excel in this offense, once his number finally starts getting called," Solak added.
With his rookie season behind him, Pearsall entered his first full NFL offseason determined to elevate his game in Year 2.
"I'm definitely excited to build on stuff that I left off on and continue to grow as a player," Pearsall said in January. "And now, I know what's expected. Not going to be a rookie anymore, so nothing's going to be really new. I'll be able to definitely grow as a player. I'm excited for it."
With Deebo Samuel no longer on the roster and Brandon Aiyuk expected to miss the start of the season as he recovers from ACL and MCL injuries suffered in October, Pearsall, alongside veteran Jauan Jennings, could be in line to start Week 1. The 49ers believe he's ready for an expanded role.
"I think Ricky sees himself as a starter," offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said last week. "He wants to be a starting receiver. And whether BA's out there or not, I think Ricky has that same expectation of himself, and that we wouldn't want it any other way. That's how he saw himself last year. And I think that's just how he is naturally."
H/t Peter Panacy of Niner Noise for the find.