CBS Sport: 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan gives huge Ricky Pearsall injury update after shooting.
Coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers gave some squad updates as his team prepared for their Week 2 game against the Minnesota Vikings. A novel piece of information pertained to Ricky Pearsall, a rookie wide receiver.
The 2024 first-round selection is now on the non-football injury (NFI) list as he recovers from a recent gunshot wound he received during an attempted robbery. Following practice on Friday, Shanahan spoke with the media about his health.
Shanahan said, “I was just talking to him yesterday,” following practice. “He recently resumed his exercise regimen. Yesterday, I believe, was a weight room workout. However, he is returning to his training, getting back into football shape, and returning to his health.
The 49ers’ passing attack is among the finest in the NFL thanks to talents like tight end George Kittle and wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.
In Shanahan’s attack, quarterback Brock Purdy is still developing, and having young targets like Pearsall and fellow rookie Jacob Cowing should only be beneficial in the long run. The former Florida Gator is concentrating on getting back into football shape. From there, perhaps, he can make a small contribution in his first campaign.
The 49ers are thought to be among the NFC’s top teams, if not the greatest. They recently suffered their second Super Bowl loss under Shanahan and John Lynch, this time to the Kansas City Chiefs. Pearsall, Cowing, and other new players would need to step up if the team is to overcome that obstacle.
Aiyuk and offensive tackle Trent Williams have also committed to long-term contracts, so the squad should be free of the distractions that dogged them during training camp and the preseason.
They had a successful Monday Night Football opener, defeating the visiting New York Jets. They are a little hurt going into the Vikings game. The onus will be on Purdy and the passing offense to make up for the absence of star running back Christian McCaffrey, who is expected to miss the game once more. In his next game against Minnesota, backup Jordan Mason needs to build on his impressive performance from Week 1. Shanahan went on to talk about Pearsall’s possible comeback.
