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Ricky Pearsall's 2026 season is over before it even started. The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver will undergo season-ending surgery to treat a PCL injury that's nagged him since the 2025 campaign, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
After bursting out the gate with 16 catches and 281 yards in his first three games of 2025, Pearsall suffered the PCL injury and was never the same. The former first-round pick missed eight games with the injury and looked hampered upon his return, leading to more receiving work for Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle.
PCL injuries are notoriously difficult to play through because they lead to knee instability, according to Harvard Health. Brock Bowers and Drake London also dealt with PCL injuries in 2025 and didn't exactly play up to their elite standards while recovering.
Pearsall is a massive loss for the 49ers, who are hoping to make a deep playoff push after the rival Seattle Seahawks blasted them 41-6 in the Divisional Round last postseason.
Brandon Aiyuk is still away from the team as he's lobbying for a trade to the Washington Commanders, plus Jauan Jennings is now on the Minnesota Vikings. However, the 49ers added reinforcements in longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Evans and second-round pick De'Zhaun Stribling. Here's a look at how the unit could shake out this season.
WR1: Mike Evans
WR2: Deebo Samuel
WR3: Christian Kirk
WR4: De'Zhaun Stribling
WR5: Demarcus Robinson
WR6: Jacob Cowing
WR7: Jordan Watkins
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Ricky Pearsall injury update: Will 49ers WR play in 2026?
Continue reading...
After bursting out the gate with 16 catches and 281 yards in his first three games of 2025, Pearsall suffered the PCL injury and was never the same. The former first-round pick missed eight games with the injury and looked hampered upon his return, leading to more receiving work for Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle.
PCL injuries are notoriously difficult to play through because they lead to knee instability, according to Harvard Health. Brock Bowers and Drake London also dealt with PCL injuries in 2025 and didn't exactly play up to their elite standards while recovering.
Pearsall is a massive loss for the 49ers, who are hoping to make a deep playoff push after the rival Seattle Seahawks blasted them 41-6 in the Divisional Round last postseason.
49ers WR depth chart after Ricky Pearsall surgery
Brandon Aiyuk is still away from the team as he's lobbying for a trade to the Washington Commanders, plus Jauan Jennings is now on the Minnesota Vikings. However, the 49ers added reinforcements in longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Evans and second-round pick De'Zhaun Stribling. Here's a look at how the unit could shake out this season.
WR1: Mike Evans
WR2: Deebo Samuel
WR3: Christian Kirk
WR4: De'Zhaun Stribling
WR5: Demarcus Robinson
WR6: Jacob Cowing
WR7: Jordan Watkins
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Ricky Pearsall injury update: Will 49ers WR play in 2026?
Continue reading...