The 49ers might have viewed any production from WR Ricky Pearsall this season as a luxury after the rookie survived an August shooting, but Pearsall is anything but a luxury now.
With Brandon Aiyuk out for the remainder of the season and Pearsall fully healthy, the first-round pick is quickly becoming an integral piece of a Super Bowl-hopeful offense. He delivered Sunday with the first touchdown of his career.
Pearsall found the end zone at the end of a long pass from Brock Purdy, proving he belongs in the young quarterback’s circle of trust.
Here’s a look at how Pearsall went from a shooting victim to an NFL end zone in just 71 days.
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Ricky Pearsall first NFL touchdown
The 49ers’ first score of the day against the Buccaneers came courtesy of Pearsall’s first NFL touchdown”
First NFL TD for Ricky Pearsall ‼️
? #SFvsTB on FOX pic.twitter.com/J8kjN1jYLB
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 10, 2024
Purdy threw a laser to Pearsall on second down, and the rookie took it an additional 30 yards to the end zone by beating All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. along the way.
The magical moment came 71 days after Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery in downtown San Francisco. The rookie was fortunate enough to walk into the ambulance under his own power and survive the shooting, and the 49ers took time earlier in the season to honor the first responders who made sure Pearsall was treated immediately.
Pearsall set a goal of getting back onto the field this season, and his story is more than just a feel-good note — he’s now set to be major part of the 49ers’ high-flying offense with Aiyuk down for the season with a torn ACL.
Ricky Pearsall stats vs. Buccaneers
Final score: 49ers 23, Buccaneers 20
- Targets: 6
- Catches: 4
- Rec. yards: 73
- TD: 1
Pearsall was targeted six times in the game, more than any 49ers pass-catcher other than Jauan Jennings, though the bulk of his production came from the 46-yard touchdown grab.
Despite missing the first six games of the season, Pearsall worked his way into the 49ers’ offense fairly quickly once he got back on the field. The Florida product was targeted five times in his NFL debut and caught all four targets for 38 yards the following week.
After the bye week afforded Pearsall some more time to familiarize himself with the offense, it’s clear Kyle Shanahan has big plans for him.
