Pearsall will miss the 2026 season following complications from a PCL injury he suffered in 2025. No one should draft him in redraft leagues and Dynasty managers should hold on to him rather than trade him away for pennies on the proverbial dollar. The 49ers signed Deebo Samuel to take Pearsall's spot on the roster, making him a decent bench option. Rookie De'Zhaun Stribling may also be tasked to help replace Pearsall, but it'll fall on Mike Evans to be a primary receiver for the Niners offense now.
Pearsall announced Thursday in a post on his personal Instagram account that he underwent season-ending surgery to repair the PCL in his right knee, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.
The procedure typically carries a wide-ranging recovery timeline of 6-to-12 months, so while Pearsall will be ruled out for the season, it's not clear if he'll be available for the start of the 49ers' offseason program next spring or the start of training camp next summer. The wideout will wind up having played in just 20 of a possible 51 regular-season contests and one of two playoff games through his first three NFL campaigns, missing time as a rookie while recovering from a gunshot wound to the chest before being hampered by the PCL injury off and on in 2025. He'll turn 27 in September and will be entering the final season of his rookie contract in 2027.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Undergoing season-ending surgery
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Pearsall was placed on injured reserve Saturday and will undergo season-ending PCL surgery on his right knee, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Pearsall was held out of the early portions of training camp due to knee swelling, and the injury had reportedly caused some concern for the 49ers. After undergoing further tests, season-ending surgery has been determined as the best move for Pearsall, and the procedure comes with a 6-to-12 month recovery timetable, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. It's a significant blow for the Florida product, who has played in just 20 regular-season games since being selected by the 49ers in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Deebo Samuel was signed by the Niners on Friday due to injuries to Pearsall and Christian Kirk (calf), and Demarcus Robinson and rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling are both slated for more opportunities on offense alongside WR1 Mike Evans.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Knee injury being evaluated
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San Francisco assistant head coach Chris Foerster said Friday that the team is "continuing to evaluate" Pearsall (knee) after the wide receiver aggravated the PCL issue in his right knee during early training camp practices, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Pearsall's injury has reportedly caused "concern" for the 49ers, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN, and the team is "exploring all options." As Barrows reports, surgery is being weighed among those options, though undergoing a procedure now could cost Pearsall the entire 2026 season. In the wake of Pearsall's ongoing evaluation, San Francisco signed veteran wideout Deebo Samuel to a one-year contract Tuesday. Christian Kirk (calf) is also managing an injury that has hampered his ability to practice during the early stages of camp.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Concern over knee issue
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The 49ers have some "concern" about Pearsall's latest knee issue and are "exploring all options" when it comes to what the next step will be in addressing it, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Pearsall didn't practice Wednesday because of swelling in the PCL in his right knee, and it remains to be seen when he'll be able to return to the field. It's an injury that the wideout has dealt with on and off since Week 4 of last season, and Wagoner suggests that surgical solutions may be explored to resolve the issue. For now, with Christian Kirk (calf) also missing practice, added WR reps behind Mike Evans are available for the likes of Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing and De'Zhaun Stribling.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Dealing with knee swelling
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Pearsall (knee) is dealing with knee swelling in the early stages of training camp, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.
Pearsall's swelling is in the same knee that caused him to deal with injuries during the 2025 season, Tafur reports, making this a situation worth monitoring. A healthy training camp would position Pearsall as a clear starter for the 49ers alongside new top wideout Mike Evans, but Pearsall has had issues staying on the field consistently to begin his NFL career. Per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, there is some concern regarding the wideout's injury, with "all options" reportedly being explored by the team at this time.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Questionable for Saturday
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Pearsall (knee) will be listed as questionable for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Seahawks, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Pearsall, who continues to manage a PCL injury in his right knee, was inactive in Weeks 16 and 18 as well as the 49ers' wild-card win over the Eagles this past Sunday. For his part, the wideout has been able to practice in a limited fashion this week and is optimistic that he'll play this weekend, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic, but given his official 'questionable' designation, Pearsall's status will still need to be monitored ahead of the 8:00 p.m ET kickoff.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Officially listed as limited
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Pearsall (knee/ankle) was officially estimated as limited in Tuesday's walkthrough practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
The 49ers held a walkthrough session Tuesday, so Pearsall's activity level is only an estimate, but it appears he's ready to retake the practice field for the first time since Dec. 31. He's managing an ankle injury in addition to an aggravated PCL sprain in his right knee. With standout tight end George Kittle having suffered a season-ending Achilles tear during a wild-card win over Philadelphia, it would be a notable boost for the Niners' receiving corps if Pearsall is able to return for Saturday's divisional-round matchup with Seattle.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Set for limited practice
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San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Pearsall (knee/ankle) will be listed as a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Pearsall hasn't practiced over the past two weeks after aggravating a right knee PCL injury in addition to injuring his ankle, but the wideout is showing some progress as the 49ers gear up for a divisional-round matchup with the Seahawks on Saturday. If Pearsall is available for the contest, there should be targets up for grabs after star tight end George Kittle suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in a wild-card win over the Eagles.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Inactive versus Philadelphia
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Pearsall (knee/ankle) is inactive for Sunday's playoff game against the Eagles.
Pearsall, who was also inactive in Week 18, was deemed a non-participant in practice Wednesday through Friday before being listed by the 49ers as questionable for the contest. In his continued absence, look for Demarcus Robinson and Kendrick Bourne to see added snaps Sunday alongside fellow WR Jauan Jennings, with Skyy Moore and Malik Turner also available to mix in.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Not practicing Thursday
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Pearsall (knee/ankle) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Though Pearsall was present for the session, he was relegated to working out on a rehab field to the side of practice while he continues to manage a lingering PCL injury to his right knee in addition to an ankle issue. The 49ers haven't indicated that Pearsall's aggravation of the knee injury is as significant as the initial PCL sprain that kept him sidelined for six straight games earlier this season, but with no practice activity so far this week, the wideout would appear to be in danger of missing Sunday's wild-card game in Philadelphia.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Starts week with limited practice
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Pearsall (knee/ankle) will be a limited participant in Tuesday's practice, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Pearsall returned from his one-game absence in Sunday's 42-38 win over the Bears to lead Niners in receiving with a 5-85-0 line on eight targets across 81 percent of the offensive snaps. He's been battling knee and ankle issues for the vast majority of the season, but assuming he escaped Week 17 without any setbacks, Pearsall should be ready to play Saturday versus the Seahawks.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Returns to lead team in receiving
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Pearsall (ankle/knee) had five receptions on eight targets for 85 yards in Sunday's 42-38 win over the Bears.
Pearsall returned from a one-game absence to lead the 49ers in receiving yards while finishing second behind TE Jake Tonges in targets (eight) and receptions (seven). The 24-year-old Pearsall's second return from injury this season came at an opportune time, as the 49ers were without the services of star TE George Kittle (ankle), who was also shelved for the sixth time this year following last week's win. Pearsall is averaging 5.5 receptions and 90.5 yards in two active games since the 49ers' Week 14 bye, making him a solid fantasy play against the Seahawks in Week 18.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Listed as questionable
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Pearsall (ankle/knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Bears, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Pearsall didn't play in Week 16 at Indianapolis due to an ankle sprain and also an aggravation of the PCL injury that sidelined him for Weeks 5-10. He practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday and Thursday, and coach Kyle Shanahan told Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com on Friday that Pearsall made it through the week "OK." In the end, Pearsall's status for Week 17 will be confirmed about 90 minutes before Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Won't play Week 16
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Pearsall (knee/ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Colts, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Pearsall was unable to participate in practice during Week 16 prep due to knee and ankle injuries that he sustained during the 49ers' Week 15 victory over the Titans. With Pearsall sidelined for Monday's road contest, Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson will step into larger roles on offense. Pearsall will work on progressing enough in his recovery to be available for the 49ers' Week 17 home tilt against the Bears on Sunday, Dec. 28.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Not practicing Friday
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Pearsall (knee/ankle) isn't practicing Friday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Pearsall came out of last week's strong showing with a pair of injuries, including an aggravation of the PCL injury that cost him Weeks 5-10 earlier this season. He hasn't practiced this week, but there's still another chance Saturday ahead of a Monday matchup at Indianapolis. San Francisco GM John Lynch suggested Friday that Pearsall has at least some chance to play, saying, "we certainly haven't ruled him out" during an appearance on KNBR radio.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: No practice Thursday
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Coach Kyle Shanahan said Pearsall (knee/ankle) won't practice Thursday, but the wide receiver is feeling much better and has a chance to play Monday at Indianapolis, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Coming out of the 49ers' Week 14 bye, Pearsall had his first signature performance since the first month of the season, when he hauled in six of seven targets for 96 yards during this past Sunday's win against the Titans. Afterward, Shanahan relayed that Pearsall was dealing with a low-ankle sprain and also had aggravated the previous PCL injury that sidelined him for Weeks 5-10. Pearsall will have two more chances to prove his health this week before the 49ers likely tag him with a designation for Week 16 action.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Practice status this week TBD
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Coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged Monday that he's unsure whether Pearsall (knee/ankle) will practice this week, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The report notes that Pearsall, who also is dealing with a low ankle sprain, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, aggravated his PCL injury during Week 16 action, which clouds the wideout's status for next Monday's game against the Colts. If Pearsall ends up limited or sidelined, added snaps alongside Jauan Jennings would be available for Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Managing ankle and knee injuries
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San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Pearsall played through ankle and knee injuries during Sunday's 37-24 win over Tennessee, Mike Masala of USA Today reports.
Shanahan said an update on Pearsall's health will arrive Monday and that the wide receiver "hurt the ankle on the first play and returned and played with that the whole game" Sunday, while his knee injury was "most likely irritating his PCL from the past." Pearsall secured six of seven targets for 96 yards versus the Titans, more production than in his last three appearances combined, but fantasy managers now will have to monitor his health heading into a Week 16 road matchup against the Colts. Shanahan, at least, said he expects Pearsall "to be alright."
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Just two catches in Cleveland
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Pearsall caught two of three targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 26-8 win over the Browns.
High winds in Cleveland nerfed both passing attacks, and tight ends George Kittle and Harold Fannin ended up being the leading pass catchers for their respective squads. Pearsall hasn't been able to make much of an impact even in better conditions since returning from a knee injury however, and over the last three games he's managed just a 5-20-0 line on nine targets. The second-year wideout will get the 49ers' bye week to reset before taking on the Titans in Week 15.
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49ers' Ricky Pearsall: Held to eight yards Monday
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Pearsall finished with two receptions (on four targets) for six yards while taking one carry for two yards in Monday's 20-9 win over the Panthers.
Pearsall was held to single-digit yardage for the second consecutive appearance since returning from a six-game absence as the result of a knee injury. At least the 2024 first-round selection got more involved than he was in last week's one-catch, zero-yard outing, garnering three combined touches in the primetime win. It is worth noting that QB Brock Purdy was targeting Pearsall on two of his three interceptions Monday, with one of the passes attempting to connect in the end zone. It is hard to feel confident about the 24-year-old wideout following a pair of duds, but it would be shortsighted for fantasy managers to cut ties at this point. Pearsall possesses elite skills and remains a starter for a high-scoring offense, so better days are surely on the horizon.
