49ers Ricky Pearsall starts rookie year on the NFI list with hamstring setback

Jul 23, 2024, 4:46 PM

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 05: Ricky Pearsall #14 of the San Francisco 49ers works out during mini camp on June 05, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The 49ers have had enough drama at the wide receiver position this summer. Unfortunately, you can now add Ricky Pearsall’s latest injury to that list.

The San Francisco 49ers’ 2024 first-round draft pick will start his first NFL training camp on the sidelines, placed on the Non-Football-Injury (NFI) list due to a hamstring injury. Both general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan made the announcement at the team’s open press conference to begin 2024 Training Camp Tuesday.

The injury occurred away from the 49ers’ facility while he was training, hence the NFI designation. Pearsall can be activated off the list at anytime, with sources saying it is not seen as severe at this time. The rookie previously sported a blue non-contact jersey during mandatory minicamp, but that was a different injury.

The Arizona native was one of four 49ers to be placed on injury lists Tuesday, and the only rookie of the bunch.

Here’s the full list of 49ers injured to start 2024 Training Camp:

NFI

Ricky Pearsall (hamstring)

PUP

Drake Jackson (knee)

Dre Greenlaw (achilles)

Talanoa Hufanga (knee)

#49ers players starting the season on the PUP/NFI

WR Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) (NFI)
DE Drake Jackson (knee)
LB Dre Greeenlaw (Achilles)
S Talanoa Hufanga (knee)

— Jennifer Lee Chan – threads @jenniferleechan (@jenniferleechan) July 23, 2024

“I think we feel pretty confident he’s in a good place,” John Lynch said about Pearsall’s injury. “We kind of work in blocks. Our thought is that he misses the first block and then on that second block. But we’re not going to put him out there. That’s on our trainers, our performance staff. And we won’t put him out there too early.”

While plans can change, the idea is to have Ricky Pearsall hit the gridiron next week for four consecutive practices.

“Four days. Everyone in the league has to do four days and then you get a day off,” Shanahan shared. “Hopefully he’ll be in there in the next three, at least ease him into there.”

How does Ricky Pearsall’s Injury affect Brandon Aiyuk?

Another element to consider in light of Pearsall’s injury is the domino effect in SF’s WR room.

While Brandon Aiyuk decided to report for training camp Tuesday, no signs point to a contract extension being imminent. Which likely means no practice for the 2023 All-Pro until one materializes. And with months turning into weeks before the start of the 2024 regular season, the pressure is on both sides to get something worked out to avoid in-season drama.

That’s even more important now that Ricky Pearsall (a rookie) is now on ice for the time-being. Even if temporary, how quickly can the Arizona native figure out Kyle Shanahan’s offense realistically? It took his predecessor (Aiyuk) over a year and some change to get out of the proverbial doghouse of Shanahan’s.

Maybe that adds some pressure on the front office, especially with 2024 seemingly a “last dance” type of run for this current core. Aiyuk is suppose to be the bridge between the old and the new guard (well him and quarterback Brock Purdy). SF has made no secret about that, wanting him to remain on the 49ers long-term.

But every man has their price, and as of now, that price is too high for the Red & Gold.

“Everything’s a possibility,” Lynch added. “We’re not going to get into negotiations and as Kyle says, there’s no absolutes. So, we’re open to anything. And like I said, Brandon’s a big part of this team and we expect that he will be going forward.”