Kyle Shanahan shares Ricky Pearsall is ‘ready to make his 49ers debut’ in week 7 against Chiefs, 50 days after being shot
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that Ricky Pearsall, who was shot in August, has recovered enough to start for them in week 7 against the Chiefs.
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Ricky Pearsall will make his NFL debut against Chiefs (Image via IMAGO)
It has been 50 days since Ricky Pearsall was shot. The rookie wide receiver will make his debut in a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed after Friday’s practice that Pearsall had been in and around the team despite rehabbing from the injury, so he knows most of the playbook.
Pearsall went through several receiving drills during this week’s training sessions. When reporters asked Shanahan the reason behind playing the rookie so soon after the horrible incident in August, he highlighted Pearsall’s presence always helps the locker room to become a single unit.
These guys are pumped. He’s been around the guys for a while now so it’s not like he hasn’t been around, practicing all week. It’s great to see him out there, seeing the guys are more real happy for him that Ricky can get back and be a part of it. He has had a hell of a week and we are just pumped to get him out there.
Kyle Shanahan said (H/T: 95.7 The Game)
49ers WR Ricky Pearsall has been ACTIVATED: “He’s healthy and ready to go.” pic.twitter.com/cjuA0bXinp
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 18, 2024
Kyle Shanahan teases some of the strategies he will employ involving Ricky Pearsall
Only a couple of weeks ago, the 49ers were operating with only Jauan Jennings as their main wide receiver, as both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel were sidelined through injury. Aiyuk and Samuel played in the 49ers’ win over their divisional rivals, the Seattle Seahawks.
Naturally, quarterback Brock Purdy will target those two more frequently alongside tight end George Kittle, who scored two touchdowns last week. So where does Ricky Pearsall fit in the 49ers system?
Whatever he’s needed at. He’s got roles in special teams, he’s got roles as a receiver and we will see how the game unfolds. But he is healthy and ready to go.
Kyle Shanahan said
Samuel backed his coach up. The Pro Bowl wideout claimed it was a blessing that Pearsall survived and recovered very quickly.
I look at it as a blessing, anything could of went gone wrong. But God was with him in that situation. You know we always glad to get him back and, he has been excited, never left the building, here every day, doing the best he can to get back and now his back.
Deebo Samuel said
Deebo Samuel on having Ricky Pearsall back: "I look at it as a blessing, anything could of went gone wrong. But God was with him in that situation." pic.twitter.com/87Eol8HqzR
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 16, 2024
On August 31, a 17-year-old boy shot Ricky Pearsall while he was on his way to a charity convention at Union Square. The first responders found both Pearsall and the shooter bleeding and sent both to the San Francisco General Hospital.
A day later, the doctors upgraded his status from critical to fair, and after just nine days, he was back at the 49ers training, watching his teammates practice. After just a little over a month of rehab, the 49ers’ medical team allowed him to join the practice, and now he will make his first NFL start against none other than the reigning Super Bowl champions.
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Ishan Misra
(3155 Articles Published)