49ers’ Ricky Pearsall scores first career touchdown just 10 weeks after shooting

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49ers’ Ricky Pearsall scores first career touchdown just 10 weeks after shooting

49ers’ Ricky Pearsall scores first career touchdown just 10 weeks after shooting

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall scored his first NFL touchdown Sunday — just 10 weeks after being shot in the chest.

Pearsall connected with quarterback Brock Purdy on a deep crosser, setting up the rookie from the University of Florida to outrun the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense for a 46-yard score. Pearsall finished the game with 4 receptions for a season-high 73 yards.

Ricky Pearsall goes 46 yards for his first career TD!

: #SFvsTB on FOX
: pic.twitter.com/R7zjs0naAm

— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

Pearsall, a first-round pick in April’s NFL Draft, was shot on Aug. 31 during an attempted robbery while shopping near Union Square in San Francisco. The gunshot wound to the right side of his chest healed quickly after the incident. The 49ers repeatedly referred to the shooting as miraculous considering the bullet passed through his body without striking any vital organs or even a rib. Pearsall was released from the hospital a day after the incident and stopped by the team facility two days later.

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GO DEEPER

49ers’ Ricky Pearsall goes from feel-good story to needed target in loss to Chiefs

Following the shooting, Pearsall was placed on injured reserve and returned to game action less than two months later on Oct. 20 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Through three games, he has 11 receptions for 132 yards and one rushing attempt for 39 yards.

One to remember for @S1ickSzn pic.twitter.com/uKn0Yp3frO

— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

With Brandon Aiyuk sidelined for the season, Pearsall is likely to play a bigger role in the San Francisco offense behind Christian McCaffrey (who returned on Sunday), Deebo Samuel Sr., George Kittle and Jauan Jennings.

Pearsall, who spent a season on the same Arizona State team as Aiyuk and who is close to Aiyuk, essentially is filling in for his friend. Pearsall started Sunday’s game along with Samuel and Jennings, the first time that combination has been used this year.

Like Aiyuk, Pearsall’s forte is sharp moves and separation, which makes him a natural replacement for Aiyuk, who’s out for the season with a torn ACL. Pearsall’s touchdown also came on a deep crosser against zone coverage — the type of play Aiyuk made regularly last season when he led the 49ers in receiving yards.

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(Photo: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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