We expect Pearsall to be one of the trendiest breakout candidates for Fantasy managers to consider in drafts this fall, potentially as soon as Round 7. That's because the second-year sensation posted banger after banger to end 2024, averaging 18.4 PPR points per game on 7.3 targets per game. Film review showed a quick-twitch receiver capable of running complex routes and getting open with speed, footwork and even physicality. The Niners especially need a big-play threat like Pearsall with veteran Brandon Aiyuk expected to be sidelined for at least the first four games of the season. After learning he spent his offseason spending time working on his timing with Brock Purdy, Pearsall should have every opportunity to be a must-start Fantasy option, even if that means as a flex.
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Connects with Purdy for 42 yards
Rotowire
Pearsall caught three of four targets for 42 yards in a 22-19 exhibition win against Las Vegas on Saturday.
All of Pearsall's action came on the 49ers' first drive, when he accounted for over half of his team's yardage. There has been plenty of talk about a potential Pearsall breakout campaign in his second NFL season, and that should only get louder after the University of Florida product displayed impressive chemistry with starting QB Brock Purdy during the pair's lone series together Saturday. It's worth noting, however, that neither Jauan Jennings (calf) nor Brandon Aiyuk (ACL) played Saturday -- when all three are healthy, Pearsall will likely face more competition for targets, and tight end George Kittle should again be a big factor in the 49ers' air attack as well.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Standing out at practice
Rotowire
Pearsall has impressed in recent practices and was a clear standout on offense Tuesday, connecting with quarterback Brock Purdy on five targets, Nick Wagoner of ESPN reports.
Pearsall has been nearly uncoverable in recent training camp sessions, per Wagoner, with rookie cornerback Upton Stout named as one of the few players who's managed to challenge the second-year wideout. It's encouraging to see Pearsall already building momentum given that a hamstring injury forced him to begin camp on the active/PUP list and had sidelined him during mandatory minicamp. With Jauan Jennings (calf) currently unable to practice and Brandon Aiyuk (ACL) without a clear timetable to return, Pearsall is currently operating as the 49ers' top wide receiver, with Demarcus Robinson and rookie fourth-round pick Jordan Watkins behind him.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Activated from PUP list
Rotowire
The 49ers activated Pearsall (hamstring) from the active/PUP list Sunday.
Pearsall started training camp on the active/PUP list while dealing with a lingering hamstring injury, which had also kept him sidelined during mandatory minicamp. San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan expressed that the team was being overly cautious by holding the wideout out of practice -- both in OTAs and minicamp. This caution carried over into the start of training camp, and Pearsall now is set to return to practice Sunday. The 2024 first-rounder was solid in his injury-shortened rookie season, catching 31 of 46 targets for 400 yards and three scores over 11 regular-season games. The 49ers' top wideout, Brandon Aiyuk (knee), is still on the active/PUP list as he recovers from a torn ACL, which likely leaves Jauan Jennings, Pearsall, and Demarcus Robinson to round out the starting wide receiver group Week 1. However, Jennings has expressed frustration as he seeks an extension, and Robinson could be suspended before the regular season due to a DUI charge. As a result, Pearsall could be in line for WR1 or WR2 reps to begin the 2025 campaign.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Building endurance for camp
Rotowire
Pearsall (hamstring) is considered healthy and just needs to build endurance before getting clearance for training camp, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.
There may nonetheless be some concern about the offseason hamstring injury lingering until Pearsall makes it through a few practices without any setbacks. Prior reports suggested he'd likely be ready for practice this weekend, at which point he can continue making his case for steady snaps and targets in 2025. Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is also on the PUP list but may remain there much longer than Pearsall, while Demarcus Robinson is practicing but could be suspended before Week 1. That leaves Pearsall and Jauan Jennings as the safest bets for WR snaps early in the season, although Pearsall's hamstring and Jennings' contract-related frustration have raised some questions there as well. Jennings is practicing, however, with Pearsall apparently set to join him soon enough.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Won't be on PUP list for long
Rotowire
Pearsall (hamstring) is expected to be cleared early in training camp after the 49ers placed him on the active/PUP list last Friday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
San Francisco held Pearsall out of the final stages of the offseason program due to a hamstring injury which has lingered into training camp. Despite being unable to practice when the team kicks things off Wednesday, the second-year pro shouldn't miss many camp reps. Pearsall and veteran Jauan Jennings will serve as the 49ers' top WR options for as long as Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is sidelined, which is expected to be well into the upcoming campaign. Pearsall's NFL debut was delayed last year due to his recovery from a gunshot wound, but he found his footing down the stretch, accruing an 18-247-2 line on 22 targets over the final three regular-season contests.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Placed on active/PUP list Friday
Rotowire
Pearsall (hamstring) was placed on the active/PUP list by the 49ers on Friday.
San Francisco will begin training camp shorthanded at wide receiver, as Brandon Aiyuk (knee) was also placed on the active/PUP list Friday, while Jauan Jennings (calf) is seeking a new contract. Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins are the team's top healthy options at wide receiver heading into training camp, though Pearsall could join them soon, as head coach Kyle Shanahan said in June that Pearsall's injury wasn't viewed as a significant concern.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Team still exercising caution
Rotowire
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that Pearsall (hamstring) is healthy enough to participate in mandatory minicamp, but the team is prioritizing having the second-year wideout ready for training camp, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Pearsall worked out on the side at the start of mandatory minicamp Tuesday, per Lee Chan, and it seems likely that he won't join on-field work until training camp. With Brandon Aiyuk (knee) also not yet ready to practice as he works his way back from ACL and MCL tears, Jauan Jennings and Demarcus Robinson will handle first-team reps. Once fully cleared, Pearsall will begin building momentum toward a potential Year 2 breakout.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Limited again Thursday
Rotowire
Pearsall (illness/chest) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Pearsall is operating with a cap on his reps so far during Week 18 prep due to an illness and a chest injury, both of which are new health concerns for the rookie first-round pick. Friday's practice report will reveal whether or not he has a designation ahead of Sunday's game at Arizona, but if he's active, Pearsall will be working with QB Joshua Dobbs instead of Brock Purdy, who isn't expected to be available due to a banged-up right throwing elbow.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Falls ill, has chest injury
Rotowire
Pearsall was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to an illness and a chest injury, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Since getting held without a reception in three consecutive contests from Weeks 11 through 13, Pearsall's involvement in the 49ers' passing game has increased in four straight games, culminating with career highs across the board (8-141-1 on 10 targets) during Monday's 40-34 loss to the Lions. With his health now compromised, however, Pearsall's status will be one to monitor as the week rolls along to get a sense of his odds to suit up Sunday at Arizona.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Week 18 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Pearsall loses value with Brock Purdy (elbow) not expected to start in Week 18 at Arizona, but hopefully, what we saw against the Lions in Week 17 is a sign of things to come in San Francisco. He had eight catches for 141 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets against Detroit, and this should be the future for the 49ers. Hopefully, if Josh Dobbs starts, he will lean on Pearsall against the Cardinals, and I would use him as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in deeper leagues.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Breakout fantasy performance Monday
Rotowire
Pearsall finished with eight receptions on 10 targets for 141 yards and a touchdown while adding six rushing yards on two attempts in Monday's 40-34 loss to Detroit.
Pearsall experienced a true fantasy breakout after weeks of inconsistent play over the second half of the season. The first-round pick finished behind only fellow rookie wideout Malik Nabers (7-171-2) for top honors in receiving yards for Week 17. The unfortunate news for Pearsall's potential managers Week 18 is that starting quarterback Brock Purdy exited Monday's contest with an injury to his throwing elbow, which could jeopardize his availability for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cardinals. Either way, Pearsall's strong play on MNF is a bright sign for the wideout's future as the 49ers look ahead to the 2025 campaign.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Improved play Sunday
Rotowire
Pearsall had four receptions on as many targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 29-17 loss to Miami.
Pearsall experienced more success against the Dolphins than he did against the Rams last week (1-16-0) on the same amount of targets. The first-round rookie wound up logging 43 snaps on offense (70 percent) Sunday, his highest total since making his pro debut against the Chiefs in Week 7. With the 49ers officially being eliminated from playoff contention, perhaps the coaching staff will want to take a harder look at Pearsall over the club's final two games, starting with a home tilt against the Lions next Monday.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Struggles with four targets
Rotowire
Pearsall had one reception (on four targets) for 16 yards in Thursday's 12-6 loss to the Rams.
Pearsall saw his highest target total since Week 10 (4-73-1 on six targets), but he was able to generate only one reception off the increased workload. The 49ers offense stalled as an entire unit, so it's hard to put the blame for Thursday's anemic offensive output on the rookie. With San Francisco all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the team may opt to get a better look at Pearsall against Miami on Sunday, Dec. 22.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Week 11 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Pearsall had a breakout game in Week 10 at Tampa Bay with four catches for 73 yards and a touchdown on six targets. He caught a 46-yard pass for his first NFL touchdown in the first quarter against the Buccaneers, and hopefully, it's a sign of things to come for the rookie from Florida, who is just three games into his NFL career after suffering a gunshot wound in September. He plays in a crowded receiving corps, so targets could be hard to come by, but it's also an explosive offense that could lend itself to Pearsall making big plays. He's worth stashing on your bench for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Scores first career TD
Rotowire
Pearsall had four receptions (six targets) for 74 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-20 win over Tampa Bay.
Pearsall got the scoring started in the first quarter when he took a deep pass from Brock Purdy for 46 yards while extending the ball for the first touchdown of his professional career. The 24-year-old Pearsall served as the team's third wideout behind Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings, but the rookie was the only one of the three to get into the end zone. Pearsall appears to be gaining confidence in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense as the team prepares to take on the Seahawks next Sunday.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Making NFL debut
Rotowire
Pearsall (chest) is listed as active Sunday against the Chiefs.
Pearsall thus will make his long-awaited NFL debut after enduring a gunshot wound during an attempted robbery Aug. 31 that resulted in him spending the first six weeks of the campaign on the reserve/non-football injury list. With Jauan Jennings (hip) sidelined, Pearsall will have a chance to mix into the 49ers offense, but the team may prefer the veteran presence of Chris Conley as the No. 3 WR behind Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk for this high-profile matchup.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Set for NFL debut
Rotowire
Pearsall (chest) remains listed as questionable but is on track to make his NFL debut in Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Jay Glazer on Fox Sports reports.
Pearsall (chest) was activated off the reserve/non-football injury list Saturday after he turned in a trio of full practices during Week 7 prep. With Jauan Jennings (hip) ruled out, Pearsall could get playing time on offense right away and challenge Chris Conley for the No. 3 receiver role behind Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Poised for season debut
Rotowire
Pearsall (chest) was activated off the reserve/non-football injury list Saturday, but he remains questionable for Sunday's contest against the Chiefs, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
This was reported Friday, but the 49ers made it official with this transaction. With Jauan Jennings (hip) out ahead of the Super Bowl rematch, it'll be interesting to see how much work Pearsall will get right out of the gate. Chris Conley, the projected No. 3 target, is a capable veteran, but Pearsall, the team's 2024 first-round pick, was reportedly back working out only a few short weeks after suffering a gunshot wound during an attempted robbery Aug. 31, and San Francisco might be comfortable deploying its intriguing prospect as prominently as it can in this must-watch matchup.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Another full practice Thursday
Rotowire
Pearsall (chest) practiced fully Thursday.
As for the rest of the 49ers' receiving corps, Deebo Samuel (wrist) again was limited Thursday while wearing a blue non-contract jersey, and Jauan Jennings (hip) has yet to practice this week. That marks two of the team's top three wide receivers, which may spur San Francisco to get Pearsall back on the active roster for the first time since Sept. 2. Friday's injury report will unveil whether he has a designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Chiefs, but the 49ers will need to activate him from the reserve/non-football injury list by 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday in order for the rookie first-round pick to have a chance to play this weekend.
... See More... See Less
49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Return window opens Monday
Rotowire
The 49ers opened Pearsall's (chest) 21-day practice window to return from the reserve/non-football injury list Monday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Pearsall will resume practicing as the 49ers prepare to face the Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch Sunday. In order to suit up and make his season debut, the 2024 first-round draft pick would first have to be added to the 53-man roster in an official move.
