Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has started training again as he works his way back onto the field.
“He started working out again,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said, via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. “I think it was a weight room workout yesterday. He’s back to conditioning, getting back into football shape, and getting back to healthy.”
49ers on NBCS @NBCS49ers
“He’s back to conditioning, getting back into football shape.”
Shanahan on the latest with Pearsall š½ pic.twitter.com/1UZmwxoPxI
Shanahan added that the 2024 first-round pick is still considered “week to week” as he recovers. Pearsall was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list to begin the season after he was shot in the chest during an armed robbery attempt.
A 17-year-old was charged on Sept. 3 with attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic weapon and attempted second-degree robbery after getting arrested roughly a block away from the alleged confrontation with Pearsall.
The wide receiver’s mother revealed that he was shot in the chest and the bullet exited his back, missing vital organs (h/t ESPN’s Nick Wagoner). His wound did not require surgery.
“It surprisingly heals a lot faster than you would think,” Shanahan said on Friday, via Maiocco. “When you tear your chest and stuff, you’re out for the year. But a bullet hole that goes through your chest and out the back, for some reason, heals a lot faster.”
Pearsall isn’t eligible to return until Week 5 after he was placed on the NFI list, but it’s still a promising sign that he’s starting to work out ahead of San Francisco’s Week 2 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on Sunday that the 49ers are hopeful that Pearsall will be able to return as soon as Week 5.
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
The Insiders on @NFLGameDay with @MikeGarafolo and @TomPelissero: When will the #Patriots put Drake Maye on the field? Plans for the #49ers, plus WR Ricky Pearsall could be back Week 5; The #Cowboys and Dak Prescott remain in contact about a contract, plus CeeDee Lamb is jacked. pic.twitter.com/HTYunaDpSG
The 24-year-old was drafted by San Francisco following a five-year collegiate career with Arizona State and Florida. In his 2023 campaign with the Gators, he hauled in 65 receptions for 965 yards and four touchdowns.
Less than two weeks after he was shot, Pearsall is already starting to make progress as he looks to return to the field.
