The San Francisco 49ers could use some good news on the injury front, and on Wednesday, they got some.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is “getting a lot healthier” as he recovers from a gunshot wound he suffered in August. Shanahan did not give a specific timetable for his return to the field.
"I'm not exactly sure the timeline, but I know he's getting a lot healthier," head coach Kyle Shanahan said.
Pearsall is on the non-football injury list, and the earliest he can be activated is after the 49ers’ Week 4 game against the New England Patriots.
Pearsall was shot during an attempted armed robbery in San Francisco on August 31. The bullet struck him in the chest but did not hit any organs, and Pearsall was able to leave the hospital without needing surgery.
National Football League insider Mike Garafolo reported that the 49ers have targeted Week 5 for his return. That would be in time for San Francisco’s NFC West matchup with the Arizona Cardinals on October 6.
General manager John Lynch has remained confident that Peasall will play this season. "We're going to give him the time to do it when it's right for him, and that's physically, mentally, emotionally. But I can tell you he's doing really well."
Pearsall did not get any preseason reps for the 49ers as he dealt with shoulder and hamstring injuries.
The 49ers selected Pearsall with the 31st overall pick in this year’s draft after a stellar senior season at the University of Florida. Pearsall led the Gators with 65 receptions for 965 yards with four receiving touchdowns.
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