Ricky Pearsall, wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, has been placed on season-ending injured reserve as he prepares to undergo surgery for a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury in his right knee [1, 2, 3]. The procedure is scheduled within the next two weeks, with an expected recovery period of six to twelve months [1, 2, 3].
Pearsall originally sustained the injury in Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season during a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 28, 2025 [1, 2]. The injury caused him to miss all or parts of 10 games last season, limiting his production to 36 receptions for 528 yards and no touchdowns across those appearances including postseason play [1, 2, 3].
Despite initial hopes that rest and rehabilitation over the 2026 offseason would allow healing without surgery, swelling recurred during training camp after just three practices, leading to the decision to operate [1, 2, 3]. 49ers General Manager John Lynch said, "We reevaluated after [the season], and the consensus was that that [surgery] wasn't the step to take. He did well throughout the offseason, ran into some other road bumps. At that point between all the docs that we consulted ... the decision was made" [1].
Pearsall was selected 31st overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he played 11 games with 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns [1, 3]. His early career has been hampered by setbacks, including a previous gunshot wound and repeated injuries [1, 3].
To fill the roster gap, the 49ers signed former All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel to a one-year deal worth up to $7 million. Samuel spent the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders before returning to San Francisco [1, 2, 3].
Pearsall’s continued injury troubles have cast doubt over whether the 49ers will exercise the fifth-year option on his contract for 2028 [3].
The 49ers placed Pearsall on injured reserve on August 8, 2026, officially ending his 2026 season [1, 2, 3]. Surgery and the recovery timeline mean he will not play this year, with the team now adjusting its wide receiver lineup accordingly.
