49ers Place Ricky Pearsall on Injured Reserve for Knee Surgery
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will undergo knee surgery and miss the entire 2026 season due to a lingering posterior cruciate ligament injury. The 2024 first-round pick re-aggravated the knee injury during the opening week of training camp, ending his season before it started. Pearsall's injury-plagued career continues as the team quickly signed receiver Deebo Samuel to fill the roster void.
The 49ers placed wide receiver Ricky Pearsall on injured reserve after he re-injured his posterior cruciate ligament during the initial days of training camp. The 2024 first-round selection will undergo surgery, sidelining him for the entire 2026 campaign.
This setback adds to a pattern of health struggles for Pearsall since entering the league. To address the immediate depth issue, San Francisco moved quickly to bring back veteran receiver Deebo Samuel, who will now assume a larger role in the offense.
The loss of Pearsall could reshape the 49ers' offensive depth chart, potentially placing greater reliance on Deebo Samuel and affecting the team's competitive balance in the NFC West. For fans and fantasy football managers, this injury may alter expectations for the upcoming season, while highlighting the physical toll and unpredictability of professional football careers.