49ers WR Ricky Pearsall Could Return To Practice This Week

Ricky Pearsall is now eligible to come off injured reserve, and there’s a chance the rookie receiver returns to the practice field this week. ESPN’s Nick Wagoner says “all signs have been pointing to” the 49ers opening Pearsall’s practice window, although Kyle Shanahan later cautioned that the team still hasn’t made a definitive decision (per Matt Barrows of The Athletic).

[RELATED: 49ers Place WR Ricky Pearsall On NFI List]

The first-round pick was the victim of an attempted robbery in late August in which he suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. There was good news in the aftermath; the 23-year-old was initially in serious but stable condition and avoided damage to any vital organs. The bullet also didn’t strike any ribs, a factor which allowed Pearsall to be hospitalized for less than a week.

The rookie was subsequently placed on the NFI list, meaning he’d need to be sidelined until at least Week 5. There was always optimism that Pearsall would make his debut at some point during the 2024 season. It was only recently that hope grew for an October return to the practice field, and it sounds like the wideout may admirably hit that mark. As we learned earlier this month, returning Pearsall from the NFI list to the active roster will count as one of the 49ers’ allotted eight activations for the 2024 campaign.

The snakebitten 49ers will welcome back their rookie wideout, who could find himself with a rotational role by the end of the campaign. Jauan Jennings had a standout Week 3 while filling in for Deebo Samuel, and he’ll likely retain his WR3 behind the veteran and Brandon Aiyuk. Pearsall could supplant the likes of Chris Conley, Ronnie Bell, and Jake Cowing at the bottom of the depth chart, and the 31st-overall pick could be in line for a starting role in 2025 considering Samuel’s trade candidacy.