HEADLINES

49ers WR Ricky Pearsall Suffers Gunshot Wound

September 1st, 2024 at 1:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

SEPTEMBER 1, 1:34pm: More good news is coming from the Pearsall situation. Staff at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital have upgraded rookie wide receiver to fair condition, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco reports.

12:28pm: Pearsall’s mother, Erin Pearsall, provided an encouraging update on Facebook this morning (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle). Per Erin Pearsall, the bullet entered Ricky’s chest and exited through his back without hitting any vital organs. She added that her son is in good spirits.

Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area noted that the team had its traditional party to celebrate the 53-man roster at head coach Kyle Shanahan‘s house last night, which obviously suggests the club is optimistic about a full recovery for the first-round wideout.

AUGUST 31, 10:00pm: A statement from the 49ers confirms Pearsall’s injury was indeed to the chest. He remains in serious but stable condition.

8:30pm: Pearsall suffered a through and through injury to his arm, Cunningham’s colleague Kirsten Moran-Kellar clarifies in an update. It was the suspect who appears to have been shot in the chest. Pearsall has already spoken with police about the incident, and further developments on his condition will be provided as they become available.

7:02pm: Rookie 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot during an attempted robbery on Saturday. The incident took place in San Francisco’s Union Square, as first reported by Dion Lim of KGO-TV.

Providing further details on the matter, NBC Bay Area’s Gia Vang adds that Pearsall is in stable condition. Local law enforcement has stated the suspect, a 17-year-old male, is in custody. As further information on the incident emerges, the fact Pearsall is stable and receiving treatment is of course an encouraging sign.

A statement from the San Francisco Police Department notes that Pearsall, 23, was shot in the chest while on his way to a signing event. A struggle for the gun took place, and both he and the suspect were shot (h/t Sean Cunningham of Fox40). In addition to Pearsall, the suspect is in the hospital in stable condition.

Pearsall began his college career at Arizona State, spending three years there and showing promise during the 2021 campaign in particular. He transferred to Florida and played two seasons with the Gators, taking a step forward in terms of production both years. After averaging 20 yards per reception in 2022, Pearsall posted career highs in catches (65) and yards (965) last year.

That helped him confirm his status as one of the top receivers in a deep 2024 draft class. Pearsall was selected with the No. 31 pick, adding him to a 49ers receiver room which has been at the heart of considerable speculation during the offseason. San Francisco entertained trade offers for both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, but neither were dealt. Aiyuk’s drawn-out efforts to land an extension came to a conclusion earlier this week, while Samuel is under contract for two more years.

Samuel has added another positive update on Pearsall’s condition. The latter dealt with hamstring and shoulder injuries during his first NFL offseason, and he was limited in training camp. Pearsall was also sidelined for the entire preseason after dealing with multiple shoulder subluxations during the summer. That same ailment occurred during his college career, but it did not result in missed time. Needless to say, this injury will have Pearsall sidelined for a stretch.

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