Injuries have significantly slowed Pearsall's development. However, Around the NFL writer Nick Shook believes the 25-year-old is primed for a breakout season in 2026 (h/t to Mike Masala of Niners Wire for the find).
"Pearsall's career has known nothing but unexpected interruptions," Shook wrote. "Before he even took the field for a regular-season game, Pearsall suffered a gunshot wound during an attempted robbery in San Francisco, forcing him to miss the first six weeks of his rookie season."
Pearsall had a strong start to the offseason as he headed into his second NFL season, and looked ready to become a key weapon for quarterback Brock Purdy. Instead, injuries once again disrupted his progress.
"In 2025, Pearsall battled a hamstring injury that landed him on PUP and later sustained a PCL injury, limiting him to nine games," Shook wrote.
The 49ers revamped their wide receiver room this offseason. While the team moved on from key contributors Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne, it added experienced playmakers to strengthen the position group.
"San Francisco's receiving corps certainly could have used more help in 2025, and the club acted accordingly in 2026, luring Mike Evans away from Tampa, adding Christian Kirk and spending the first pick of the second round on De'Zhaun Stribling," Shook noted.
"Consequently, Pearsall will operate in a deeper receiver room that won't allow opposing defenses to key on him, setting up the 25-year-old for a breakout season -- provided he can stay on the field."
With training camp approaching, Pearsall has an opportunity to prove he can become a consistent playmaker in the 49ers' offense. If he can finally stay healthy, 2026 could be the year he delivers on the potential that made him a first-round draft pick.
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