San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is “really close” to returning to practice as he recovers from gunshot wounds sustained at the scene of an attempted robbery on Aug 31, head coach Kyle Shanahan reported on Wednesday.
“I know he’s really close, and when he’s good to go, himself and the medical staff, we will be pumped to have him back. He’s a hell of a player,” Shanahan said, according to David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone.
Pearsall won’t return to practice this week as the 49ers gear up for a home game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon.
When asked why the team didn’t open the practice window, Shanahan said that the team doesn’t feel he’s ready quite yet. Still, the fact that Shanahan said Pearsall’s “really close” is clearly a good sign.
Pearsall suffered a gunshot wound to the chest after the attempted robbery, which occurred as he was walking to an autograph signing in San Francisco. Garrett Leahy of the San Francisco Standard provided more details.
“Pearsall — a 23-year-old Phoenix native and the 49ers’ first-round pick in the last NFL draft — was walking past 77 Geary St. around 3:30 p.m. Saturday when the 17-year-old suspect walked up and pointed a gun at him, according to the San Francisco Police Department. The teenager was reportedly trying to steal Pearsall’s Rolex watch.
“A struggle ensued that culminated with both Pearsall and the teen being shot, SFPD Chief Bill Scott told reporters outside San Francisco General Hospital, where the victim and suspect were hospitalized Saturday evening.”
The wound reportedly entered through his chest, exited through his back and missed all vital organs, per ABC7 Bay Area. He was discharged from the hospital after one day and did not need surgery, per Matt Barrows and Mark Puleo of The Athletic.
Pearsall, a former University of Florida star, caught 65 passes for 965 yards and four scores in his final year with the Gators before becoming the No. 31 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft.
As for Pearsall’s 2024 season, he’ll have a 21-day window to practice once the team clears him to return. After those three weeks, Pearsall must either be activated to the roster or be placed on season-ending injured reserve.
But ultimately, the fact that Pearsall is even close to returning to practice right now is a great sign.
