Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was the San Francisco 49ers' first-round draft pick in 2024. After dealing with a football injury and a gunshot injury, Pearsall started looking like a keeper as his rookie season went on. He came into the 2025 season looking like he may become the 49ers' top wideout. But an injury derailed him, costing him the past six games.
But Pearsall is scheduled to return to the lineup on Sunday when the 49ers face off with the Arizona Cardinals. Matt Maiocco, of NBC Sports Bay Area, sat down with 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan this week to discuss the upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals. The two also talked about how important it is for the team to get Pearsall back on the field.
"The way Ricky was playing before he got hurt, I mean, he was playing like a true number one receiver in this league, really playing like the guy that we wanted to draft," Shanahan said. "He had an unbelievable offseason, unbelievable start to this season. I think the hardest thing with losing Ricky was he was really the only receiver that we got an offseason with. He was the only one that we had throughout training camp with JJ [Jauan Jennings] not doing training camp, and then JJ getting hurt after."
Pearsall had an excellent offseason. He followed that with a training camp in which he was almost unguardable. He also created a strong connection with QB Brock Purdy and was on pace for a good statistical season. Through four games, Pearsall had 20 catches (on 29 targets) for 327 yards. Many of his receptions came in critical moments.
And those numbers don't even reflect how he impacted the offense when he was on the field.
"And when Ricky went down, it was really tough because we were having guys with KB [Kendrick Bourne], Skyy [Moore], even D-Rob [Demarcus Robinson] being out that month, guys that really hadn't been practicing with us for a while," Shanahan added. "So that was a huge challenge for us, especially with Mac [Jones] coming in. That's what was one of the other things that was so impressive with Mac, but all these guys getting so much better while Ricky's been out and then be able to bring back Ricky who, even though it's his only second year, he's quickly become our veteran who's had the most reps with us and stuff.
"So huge to get him back for the talent, the guy, and I'm excited he's coming back with Brock [Purdy], too."
The other wide receivers had to step up in Pearsall's absence, and for the most part, they did. And to do it with the backup quarterback makes it that much more impressive. And now that the 49ers are bringing back their starting QB and top WR, what Jennings, Bourne, Robinson, Moore, and rookie Jordan Watkins learned while Pearsall was out should only help the offense become more efficient and explosive.
You can watch the entire interview below: