Just days after being shot through the chest during an attempted robbery in San Francisco, 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is already back at the practice field.
While Pearsall isn’t able to participate, he was seen on the practice field in street clothes holding a football during the portion of Thursday’s practice that was open to media.
Pearsall suffered a gunshot wound that went into his chest and exited out of his back. He didn’t sustain any damage to bones or organs, and general manager John Lynch said the No. 31 overall pick should be able to return to the field this season.
#49ers rookie WR Ricky Pearsall out watching practice today as his team goes through individual drills… pic.twitter.com/yk3rfsYtPT
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 5, 2024
Perhaps the most impressive part of the video is that Pearsall doesn’t appear to be favoring his chest while he tosses the football to himself.
Pearsall was the 49ers’ first-round pick in this year’s draft out of the University of Florida. Last year with the Gators, Pearsall posted a career-best 965 receiving yards on a career-high 65 receptions. He also pulled down four touchdowns. He has yet to make his pro debut after missing all of the preseason with a shoulder injury.
The 49ers placed their rookie wide receiver on the non-football injury list which will keep him out for at least four weeks per NFL rules. It’s unclear exactly when the team will target a return for him, but his presence at Thursday’s practice is a good sign that his absence won’t be long-term.
