Over the past two weeks, FOX and NBC national broadcasts have leaned heavily on the return of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall from his shooting injury this offseason. On Sunday night, they even broadcast footage of Pearsall being loaded into the ambulance as first responders applied pressure to the wound.

Ricky Pearsall drafted by the San Francisco 49ers

During the 2024 NFL Draft, Pearsall was selected by the San Francisco 49ers at pick number 31. Pearsall was part of a group of 10 receivers picked in the first 37 selections and the first of four consecutive wideouts selected from picks 31 to 34 .He spent time with the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Florida Gators as a collegiate receiver. The expectations of the newcomers were tempered in a busy attack with playmakers in key positions.

Where was Ricky Pearsall shot? Why was Pearsall shot?

On August 31, Pearsall was in San Francisco looking for road trip luggage and heading to a book signing event. He was robbed at gunpoint through his Rolex watch and shot in the chest during a struggle over the gun. The incident took place in the middle of the day near Union Square, a popular commercial area in the city. The suspect was immediately taken into custody while Pearsall was loaded into an ambulance.

Ricky Pearsell was released from the hospital after the shooting

Pearsall spent a night in hospital but was released the next day, September 1. It’s a remarkably quick turnaround time for a man shot in the chest. The next day he was back at the team facility for rehab, but not on the field. At the time, general manager John Lynch said Pearsall would absolutely be back for the 2024 season.

Ricky Pearsall starts the season on the reserve/non-football injured list

NFL teams have two lists for players who are too injured to be on the field. Injured reserve is for players who are injured on the field or at team facilities. The non-football injury list is for players injured outside of team facilities. The 49ers used this designation for Pearsall on September 2, forcing him to miss at least the team’s first four games of the season and freeing up a roster spot for a replacement player. According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, it had as much to do with the mental hurdles as the physical ones.

When did Ricky Pearsall return to the 49ers lineup?

The 49ers opened Pearsall’s starting window to return in early October. He was almost back the week of October 2, but San Francisco kept him inactive for another week.

How has Ricky Pearsall affected the 49ers’ offense since returning from his gunshot?

Quarterback Brock Purdy saw a role for Pearsall when he returned to the lineup, even with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk running the receiving room and Jauan Jennings experiencing an early-season breakout. With Jennings injured heading into Week 7, Pearsall’s role was going to increase anyway. Then Samuel played just a few snaps after contracting pneumonia and Aiyuk left the game with a season-ending injury. Suddenly Pearsall was the top wideout and saw more snaps than anyone else at the position, and he saw an expanded role in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Ricky Pearsall stats

Pearsall played 76% of the team’s snaps in his season debut in Week 7 thanks to the injuries around the wide receiver room. They definitely wanted to give him more convenience and in week 8 he returned to a fast 59% share.

He caught seven passes on nine targets for 59 yards in those two games, an average of 8.43 yards per catch. In his second NFL game, he also finished about 39 yards on the ground.

What happened to Ricky Pearsall’s shooter?

Pearsall was shot during a fight with a 17-year-old high school student. Since they have not yet decided whether to charge him as a juvenile or an adult, details about his status are hush-hush. The attacker was also shot in the arm during the struggle for the firearm. He was charged with attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic weapon and attempted second-degree robbery, along with several weapons charges.

Who saved Ricky Pearsall’s life?

First responders on the scene recently shared their thoughts on the incident and shared their perspective with ESPN this weekend. SFPD Sgt. Joelle Harrell was the first person on scene and immediately treated the wound.

“When he got up, I saw his wound on his chest.” she said in a recent television interview. “And I thought, ‘Oh no.’ So I took my strong hand and placed it over the hole to create a suction. And then I took my other hand to apply direct pressure to his head. He says, ‘Am I going to die from this?’ I said, ‘Look at me. I know you don’t know me, but I want you to trust me, it’s not your time.

Harrell was accompanied by ER surgeon Dr. Judy Kornblith during an on-field ceremony prior to the 49ers’ season opener against the New York Jets. Kornblith operated on Pearsall when he was taken to hospital.

What is Ricky Pearsall’s prognosis?

Everything indicates that Pearsall will not be bothered by the injury in the longer term. Pearsall’s mother said the bullet missed all his vital organs.