Ricky Pearsall
Wide Receiver #14
Ricky Pearsall News
Ricky Pearsall's Long-Term Future is Very Cloudy
San Francisco 49ers former first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) will have season-ending knee surgery on his PCL, and because surgery for his type of knee injury is extremely rare, it's hard to say whether he'll ever be able to return to his pre-injury form, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Most isolated PCL injuries heal on their own, but Pearsall's did not. Dr. Prem Ramkumar said that surgery for an isolated PCL injury is so rare among pro athletes that there isn't enough data to predict whether Pearsall will return to his pre-injury form next season. Reconstructing a damaged PCL often doesn't provide substantially more stability than allowing the ligament to scar and heal without surgery. The 25-year-old former 31st overall pick in 2024 from the University of Florida is a full-blown injury risk after just two seasons in the league, in which he played in just 20 games (13 starts). Pearsall was set to be a big part of San Fran's passing game alongside veteran Mike Evans this year, but that's out the window now. He's obviously off the board in redraft leagues in 2026, and fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues don't have a lot of incentive to buy low on Pearsall at this point.
Aug 4, 2026 12:25 PM EST
Ricky Pearsall Expected to Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) is expected to undergo season-ending surgery on the nagging PCL injury that dates back to last season, general manager John Lynch told reporters, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Pearsall is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of the 2027 season. The 25-year-old former first-rounder from the University of Florida has considerable upside in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, but unfortunately, injuries have defined his career early on. Pearsall played in just 20 games in his first two NFL seasons, catching 67 of 99 targets for 928 yards and three touchdowns. Fantasy managers can obviously remove him from their draft boards in 2026. San Fran has since reunited with veteran pass-catcher Deebo Samuel Sr., who could factor into starting three-wide sets this year alongside newcomers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, although rookie second-rounder De'Zahun Stribling, who has looked good so far in training camp, might have something to say about that.
Aug 1, 2026 9:05 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers "Continuing to Evaluate" Ricky Pearsall
The Athletic's Matt Barrows reported that the San Francisco 49ers are continuing to evaluate Rick Pearsall's (knee) after he aggravated last year's knee injury in practice on Wednesday. Pearsall had experienced swelling during the first couple of days of training camp, which led to the initial health concerns. The news got worse for Pearsall on Thursday after reports that the 49ers were not expecting the 25-year-old to make any contributions in 2026. The 49ers were hoping the PCL issue would heal itself in the offseason, but it now appears that Pearsall is heading for season-ending surgery. As a result, the 49ers have signed Deebo Samuel Sr. for extra receiving depth, but he has yet to start practice with the team.
Jul 31, 2026 12:27 PM EST
49ers Don't Expect Ricky Pearsall to Make Any Contributions in 2026
It looks like the San Francisco 49ers are expecting wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) to miss the entire 2026 season, according to NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco. "This doesn't look good... I think it's reasonable, rational, logical, for the 49ers to NOT expect Ricky Pearsall to make any contribution in 2026," Maiocco said. The 25-year-old former first-rounder from the University of Florida played in only nine regular-season games in 2025 in his second year in the league due to a PCL injury in his knee. The 49ers were hoping that the PCL issue would heal itself in the offseason, but that doesn't appear to be the case after Pearsall experienced swelling in the same knee after running all the routes in the first few days of training camp. It now appears that Pearsall is headed for season-ending surgery, which will obviously make him undraftable in all single-year fantasy leagues in 2026. The oft-injured pass-catcher's dynasty/keeper-league stock also takes a big hit. With Pearsall likely done for the year, it gives rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling a real opportunity to lock down the WR3 role in San Fran behind veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk.
Jul 30, 2026 10:41 AM EST
Ricky Pearsall Could be Facing Knee Surgery
Updating a previous report, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) missed Wednesday's training camp practice with swelling in his right knee, and The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows report that he might now be looking at surgery. Pearsall injured his PCL in the same knee in Week 4 of last year, which forced him to miss six games. The 25-year-old was bothered by the same knee, at times when he returned to close out the 2025 season, too. Pearsall finished with 36 receptions for 528 yards and zero touchdowns on 53 targets in just nine starts. The former 31st overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Florida only played in 11 games as a rookie due to injury, and he could be looking at starting the 2026 regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform list or Injured Reserve, which would obviously tank his fantasy football value going into his third year in the NFL. The 49ers are concerned, and fantasy managers should be as well. If Pearsall requires knee surgery, rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling would be the favorite for WR3 duties in San Fran behind Mike Evans and Christian Kirk.
Jul 29, 2026 2:50 PM EST
Ricky Pearsall Out in Training Camp With Knee Swelling
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) is out at training camp with swelling in his knee, with The Athletic's Vic Tafur adding that "there is some concern." Pearsall has always had breakout potential since the Niners took him with the 31st overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Florida, but injuries have kept him from reaching his true ceiling. The 25-year-old's swelling is in the same knee that caused him to miss games last year, which is pretty concerning early in camp. In just nine games played in 2025, Pearsall caught 36 of 53 targets for 528 yards and zero touchdowns during the regular season. The 49ers have expected to eventually cut former first-rounder Brandon Aiyuk (knee), so if Pearsall cannot go for the start of the 2026 regular season, veteran Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, and rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling would most likely start in three-receiver sets in San Fran. Pearsall is a clear starter for the Niners if healthy, but knee issues early in camp will cause many fantasy managers to avoid him altogether in upcoming drafts.
Jul 29, 2026 9:38 AM EST
Ricky Pearsall a Priority Dynasty Buy-Low Candidate
A first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has missed 14 games across his first two professional seasons due to both knee and ankle injuries and recovery from a gunshot wound. The 25-year-old was productive when on the field in 2025, recording 36 catches for 528 yards and zero touchdowns on 53 targets across nine games. Despite his health issues to this point in his career, Pearsall remains well-positioned as a key piece in the San Francisco offense going forward. Entering 2026, the 49ers' top three pass-catchers are wide receiver Mike Evans, tight end George Kittle (Achilles), and running back Christian McCaffrey. All three players are now in their 30s and are likely nearing the tail end of their respective careers. If Pearsall can put together a fully healthy and productive season in 2026, he could profile as the team's number one option in the passing game as soon as 2027. Dynasty managers should be exploring buy-low opportunities on Pearsall ahead of a potential breakout campaign.
Jul 21, 2026 9:37 AM EST
Ricky Pearsall Set Up for Breakout Season if he Stays Healthy
Before San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall's NFL career even got off the ground, he suffered a gunshot wound during an attempted robbery that caused him to miss the first six weeks of his rookie campaign in 2024. He played in 11 games (four starts), catching 31 of 46 targets for 400 yards and three touchdowns. The 25-year-old former 31st overall pick out of the University of Florida then suffered a hamstring injury and a PCL injury in his knee in 2025 that limited him to just nine starts. Pearsall finished with 36 receptions on 53 targets for 528 yards and no touchdowns in nine regular-season starts. The Niners let Jauan Jennings walk in free agency in the offseason, but they added future Hall of Famer Mike Evans and slot man Christian Kirk, while taking De'Zhaun Stribling in the second round of the NFL draft. San Fran's WR room is deeper, which means that opposing defenses shouldn't be able to key in on him in his third season. NFL.com's Nick Shook believes Pearsall could be set up for a breakout season. He's a risk/reward WR4/flex that is certainly worth a late-round selection in fantasy drafts for his upside when healthy.
Jul 2, 2026 11:47 AM EST
Ricky Pearsall Projected to Start Opposite Future Hall of Famer
When the San Francisco 49ers have two wide receivers on the field this year, it will likely be Ricky Pearsall across from future Hall of Famer and newcomer Mike Evans, according to Kyle Madson of Niners Wire. Health is obviously a major question mark for Pearsall, who has played in only 20 games due to injuries in his first two years in the NFL, but he's one of the team's two best receivers if he's healthy. The 25-year-old former 31st overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Florida has caught 67 of his 99 targets for 928 yards and three touchdowns in his first two years in the league, averaging 13.9 yards per reception. Jauan Jennings is now in Minnesota, and former first-rounder Brandon Aiyuk (knee) is expected to be traded or released this summer. Veteran Christian Kirk should handle slot duties, but Pearsall is the team's clear No. 2 if he's on the field. Pearsall should be set for the highest usage of his career in Year 3 if he can avoid injuries. Fantasy managers should consider him a high-risk/high-reward WR4/flex in upcoming 2026 drafts. At RotoBaller, Pearsall is ranked as the No. 41 fantasy WR.
Jun 27, 2026 8:13 AM EST
Is Ricky Pearsall a Sneaky Sleeper for Redraft Leagues?
Two seasons into his NFL career, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has had a difficult time staying on the field. A gunshot wound forced Pearsall to miss six games as a rookie in 2024, and a lingering knee injury forced him to miss eight games in 2025. Across the nine games he was able to suit up for last season, the 25-year-old recorded 36 catches for 528 yards and zero touchdowns on 53 targets. Entering 2026, Pearsall looks to be fully healthy and projects as the WR2 in San Francisco alongside veteran Mike Evans. 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles), running back Christian McCaffrey, and rookie wideout De'Zhaun Stribling all pose varying levels of threats to Pearsall's target volume. Still, it's difficult to judge anything Pearsall has done in the pros until he can string together a run of fully healthy games. His profile is risky, but Pearsall's current average draft position of WR48 may be undervaluing his upside.
Jun 23, 2026 8:29 AM EST
Is Ricky Pearsall a Dynasty Breakout Candidate?
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has struggled to stay on the field through his first two seasons in the league, but some of the flashes he's shown in brief spurts have demonstrated the abilities that made him a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and suggested that a fantasy breakout could be lurking if he can piece it all together for a full season. All-Pro tight end George Kittle is expected to miss time after rupturing his Achilles in the 2025 postseason, and there is a belief that Christian McCaffrey's workload could be dialed back after handling a league-high 440 opportunities in his age-29 season. Although the team spent an unexpected second-round pick on Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, Pearsall's primary target competition in two-receiver sets will be a 33-year-old Mike Evans who has dealt with soft tissue injuries in the past and most recently missed nine games with hamstring issues, a concussion, and a broken collarbone. While Pearsall has missed 14 games of his own to a variety of injuries, including a gunshot wound before he'd ever taken an NFL snap, he has finished as the fantasy WR26 or better in 35% percent of his games. Still only 25 years old, Pearsall has both the ability and the opportunity to turn in week-winning performances, and if he can find health and consistency in year three, he has a strong chance of rising dramatically from his current spot of dynasty WR47 in RotoBaller's latest rankings.
May 30, 2026 6:03 AM EST
Ricky Pearsall Not Yet Ready to Make the WR1 Leap
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall struggled to stay on the field last season. When healthy, he typically operated as the Niners' No. 2 receiver behind Jauan Jennings. Although Jennings is expected to sign elsewhere in free agency, the 49ers replaced him with proven No. 1 receiver Mike Evans. The presence of Evans will block Pearsall from making a significant leap up the depth chart this offseason. With that said, there's still the potential for Pearsall to take strides performance-wise. He's coming off a frustrating season in which he played parts of just nine games, catching 36 passes for 528 yards and zero touchdowns. He might not emerge as a major touchdown threat over Evans, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle, but he's still due for a little positive scoring regression. Plus, he's a safe bet for between five and eight targets per game, when healthy. If Pearsall can stay on the field, the arrival of Evans won't be that big of a concern. The 25-year-old Florida product can still be a low-end WR3/flex in dynasty and redraft leagues.
Apr 21, 2026 7:41 AM EST
Ricky Pearsall Still Facing Competition in San Francisco
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall entered this offseason as a candidate for more targets with Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk both expected to depart. However, the 49ers' rather unexpected decision to sign Mike Evans has left Pearsall right back where he started this offseason: in the No. 2 receiver role. Operating in that same role last season, Pearsall caught 36 passes for 528 yards and zero touchdowns across nine games. He never played in more than four consecutive games due to injury, and he was held to fewer than five catches in two-thirds of his contests. All in all, Pearsall likely projects best as a No. 2 receiver, so we're not surprised to see that the 49ers signed a new No. 1. Still, it certainly limits Pearsall's floor and ceiling. Plus, it's not just Evans who will steal volume from Pearsall. Tight end George Kittle (Achilles) will fetch a boatload of targets when healthy, and running back Christian McCaffrey remains the centerpiece of this offense. There's not a lot of momentum behind Pearsall's name in dynasty fantasy football, so it's tough to sell high on him at this point. Managers are better off holding him and trading him at his peak value if Evans misses time due to injury.
Mar 31, 2026 5:54 AM EST
Ricky Pearsall Could Be Stuck in the WR2 Role in San Francisco
A first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has missed 14 games due to injury over the first two years of his NFL career. When healthy, Pearsall's production has been more solid than spectacular. Across nine games played in 2025, the 25-year-old hauled in 36 receptions for 528 yards and zero touchdowns on 53 targets. The 49ers made one of the biggest splashes of the early portion of free agency by signing veteran wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year deal. While the 32-year-old Evans may no longer be the player he once was at his peak, he still projects as San Francisco's top outside wideout and could push Pearsall to the WR2 role. On the bright side for Pearsall's production outlook, the 49ers could be losing wide receiver Jauan Jennings to free agency and will likely be without star tight end George Kittle (Achilles) for a chunk of 2026 as Kittle recovers from a torn Achilles tendon. Still, the signing of Evans could signal that San Francisco does not view Pearsall as a number-one wide receiver option going forward and may be bad news for his long-term dynasty outlook.
Mar 12, 2026 7:01 AM EST
Ricky Pearsall the Unquestioned WR1 in San Francisco?
Ricky Pearsall's early NFL career has been hampered by injuries, resulting in 17 missed games through his first two seasons. However, with major changes expected to reshape the 49ers' receiving corps heading into 2026, the cards are aligned for a healthy Pearsall to take the next step and deliver upon the flashes he showed to bookend his sophomore campaign. Jauan Jennings is set to test free agency when the new league year opens, and All-Pro tight end George Kittle faces a lengthy recovery from the torn ACL he suffered in a Wild Card win over the Eagles. San Francisco is still likely to add receiving depth through free agency or the draft, but the former first-rounder Pearsall has every opportunity to carve out a major role on a depth chart with only the soon-to-be-30-year-old Christian McCaffrey currently threatening for targets.
Mar 5, 2026 7:18 AM EST
Can Ricky Pearsall Solidify Himself as 49ers' Top Wide Receiver?
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is trending up ahead of the NFL offseason. Fellow Niners receiver Jauan Jennings is headed for free agency, and given that his relationship with the team is rocky, it seems likely that he'll sign somewhere else. If Jennings does leave, and Brandon Aiyuk also departs as expected, that will open the door for Pearsall to step into the No. 1 receiver role. He showed the ability to handle a top role at times in 2025, but injuries prevented fantasy managers from being able to fully evaluate him. He ultimately finished his second pro season with 36 catches, 528 yards, and zero touchdowns across nine games. Because of his injury history, it might be tough for the 49ers to trust Pearsall as their No. 1 receiver. We wouldn't be surprised to see them go out and grab a top pass-catcher via trade or free agency, leaving Pearsall in the No. 2 role once again. He can absolutely still offer upside in fantasy football, though. The 49ers have a very capable offense, so Pearsall will be able to turn any workload into fantasy points. He ranks as a fringe top-36 fantasy receiver for 2026 and would jump into the top 24 if the 49ers don't bring in any competition for him.
Feb 15, 2026 4:31 AM EST
Ricky Pearsall Could Step into Lead Role in 49ers' Passing Game in 2026
Heading into 2025, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was a popular pick to have a breakout season. However, the former first-round pick battled through a knee injury and recorded just 36 receptions for 528 yards and zero touchdowns on 53 targets across nine games played. Availability has been a consistent issue for Pearsall so far in his NFL career, as he's played in just 20 games across his first two seasons. Even when on the field, the 25-year-old has not yet emerged as a featured option in the San Francisco passing game. He's logged just 99 targets in his career, an average of fewer than five per contest. However, Pearsall will likely have an opportunity for a larger role with the 49ers in 2026. Star San Francisco tight end George Kittle (Achilles) suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the team's NFC Wild Card Round win over the Philadelphia Eagles and will likely miss time in 2026 as a result. Additionally, 49ers wideout Jauan Jennings is set to hit unrestricted free agency in mid-March after leading the team's wide receiver corps in targets in 2025. Fully buying in on Pearsall remains difficult until he proves the ability to stay healthy for an extended stretch. Still, he appears to have a clear pathway to a lead role in the San Francisco passing game in 2026.
Jan 27, 2026 12:58 PM EST
Ricky Pearsall Active for Divisional Round
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) is officially active for Saturday's Divisional Round contest against the Seattle Seahawks. He had been listed as questionable after practicing in a limited capacity. Pearsall returns to action following a two-game absence. Injuries bothered him throughout most of the regular season, limiting him to just 36 catches, 528 yards, and zero touchdowns through nine games. His return comes at a perfect time for the Niners, who were in need of pass-catching reinforcements after losing George Kittle (Achilles) for the rest of the playoffs. Pearsall will step up as the No. 2 receiver alongside Jauan Jennings against Seattle. The last time he faced the Seahawks, back in Week 1, Pearsall caught four passes for 108 yards.
Jan 17, 2026 6:53 PM EST
Ricky Pearsall Questionable to Play on Saturday Night
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) will be questionable to play in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Saturday evening on the road against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Pearsall missed a good chunk of his second NFL season due to a sprained PCL in his right knee, and he's also missed three of the last four games, including last week's Wild-Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles, after aggravating his knee. San Fran could really use the 25-year-old former first-rounder back against Seattle after losing tight end George Kittle to a torn Achilles tendon last Sunday. Pearsall was limited in practice all week and is optimistic he'll be available on Saturday night. He did go over 100 receiving yards in two of his last three games, but Pearsall has been very hit or miss and injury-prone, making him extremely volatile as a fantasy option in playoff leagues in a bad matchup if he's active.
Jan 15, 2026 6:55 PM EST
Ricky Pearsall "Optimistic" he Will Return in Divisional Round
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) is "optimistic" that he will return in the Divisional Round of the playoffs this Saturday night against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks and plans to be at full speed in practice on Wednesday, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Pearsall practiced in a limited fashion on Tuesday for the first time since Dec. 31 due to an aggravation of a PCL sprain in his right knee. The 25-year-old former first-rounder is also battling an ankle injury. Injuries continued to be an issue for Pearsall in 2025 -- he played in just nine games -- but he appears to be trending in the right direction to be active against Seattle. That would be a big boost to a Niners offense that just lost star tight end George Kittle to a torn Achilles tendon. It would also be bad news for the fantasy upside of both receivers Jauan Jennings and Demarcus Robinson.
Jan 14, 2026 3:24 PM EST
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