SANTA CLARA — Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall’s injury-marred NFL career is on hold until 2027.
Pearsall, the 49ers’ first-round draft pick in 2024, will undergo season-ending knee surgery to repair a posterior cruciate ligament he initially hurt last season.
“He’s gutted, we’re gutted,” general manager John Lynch said before practice at training camp. “He’s a really good football player and a really important member of our team. … He still has a bright future. We’ll get this taken care of.”
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel’s return, starting with Saturday’s practice, wasn’t intended so much as a contingency for Pearsall’s health but rather a complement to a revised receiving corps, Lynch said.
Missing from that unit Saturday was top draft pick De’Zhaun Stribling (hamstring tightness) as well as Christian Kirk (calf strain). Six defensive ends were out by the end of Saturday’s practice, including rookie Mikail Kamara, who got carted off with a knee injury.
Samuel helped mentor Pearsall during his 2024 rookie season, and that role has resumed even as Pearsall heads for surgery. “He was frustrated and I said, ‘Keep your head up and your time is coming. You’re just having bad luck right now and nothing you can do right now,’ ” Samuel said. “We know what he can do when he’s healthy and I wish him a quick recovery.”
Pearsall injured the PCL in his right knee in Week 4, after posting a pair of 100-yard outings in the first three games. He subsequently missed eight games as well as their wild-card playoff upset at Philadelphia before returning for the divisional-round exit at Seattle.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) makes a one-handed catch while being guarded by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) in the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group
Pearsall looked sharp through two practices, only for his knee to swell afterward from what Lynch called the “rigors of camp.” Lynch estimated a six- to 12-month recovery for Pearsall.
Lynch, speaking from his own experience as a former NFL safety, noted that most PCL issues don’t require surgical repair, hence no repair the past 10 months. Lynch also cited quarterback Mac Jones’ ability to push past a PCL tear last season.
SAMUEL’S SECOND ACT
Samuel caught multiple passes from Brock Purdy and one from Mac Jones, to the delight of the few hundred fans in attendance. “I wouldn’t say it was different. It was like I didn’t go anywhere,” said Samuel, who had 72 receptions last season after getting traded to the Commanders. “I know the people here, so it was like the same.”
Lynch envisions Samuel playing multiple roles similar to his 2019-24 tenure, those being as a receiver, rusher and kick returner.
“He’s the juice of the offense. He gets the offense going when they need a spark,” linebacker Dre Greenlaw said. ” So just knowing that he’s going to be back on our side, man, it just gives you all the confidence in the world that we can get this done this year.”
Samuel called his first dip into free agency a “long process that was frustrating and hard” before he agreed on a one-year, $7 million deal. He said a “little transaction” was required to swipe jersey No. 19 from Jacob Cowing, who switched to No. 6.
“We’ve been talking to him for a month. Our hope was to add a man to the mix with Ricky Pearsall, Mike Evans, De’Zhaun Stribling, Christian Kirk, and that whole group,” Lynch said.
Samuel has lost 17 of the past 23 games he’s played (2024 49ers, 2025 Commanders), after winning 17 of his first 24.
Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris held the same role for the 2021-23 Rams and rued Samuel, saying: “I’ve hated him so long, and it’s so nice to have him back in a friendly atmosphere. … He’s the ultimate piece that can move around, and you have to game plan around him”
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN HURT
Six defensive ends and three defensive tackles were unavailable by the time practice ended. Undrafted rookie Kamara appeared to sustain the most serious injury, as he got carted off with a knee issue. Also hurt are Romello Height (elbow), Keion White (groin) and Cam Sample (knee). Nick Bosa is being kept out of team drills amid his ACL recovery, while Mykel Williams (knee) remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Only three defensive ends lasted through practice — Sam Okuayinonu, Quinton Bell and K.J. Henry — while veteran defensive tackle Kevin Givens slid over to right end.
Several former 49ers defensive ends are available in free agency, as is Bosa’s brother, Nick, should he choose to extend his 10-year career. One free agent, Leonard Floyd, played for the 49ers in 2024 and then spent last season in Atlanta under coach Raheem Morris, now the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. Morris praised Floyd as a “phenomenal player and a better human,” adding that a reunion “could possibly happen.”
Alfred Collins has yet to take part in team drills two practices since coming off PUP, while fellow defensive tackles Gracen Halton (knee) and C.J. West (unknown) are also out.
SHANAHAN PROGRESS
Coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the team Saturday morning for the first time at camp, having been hindered by a concussion from his July 14 car crash. “He’s doing better. They were excited and gave him a nice welcome,” Lynch added. “We’re all pleased with the approach and that was one threshold.”
Shanahan, as he has the previous four practices, watched most of the action from afar, but he did seem a bit more involved, at one point calling over defensive line coach Kris Kocurek. As practice warmups took place, Shanahan met with former 49ers coach Steve Mariucci, who was making his annual visit as an NFL Network analyst.
MARATHE MOVING ON
Paraag Marathe, the 49ers’ chief contract negotiator for much of the past 25 years and their executive vice president, is leaving the franchise’s football operations to focus on 49ers Enterprises’ ownership of soccer teams in the United Kingdom.
Marathe, 49ers Enterprises’ president, has overseen Leeds United’s rise to the Premier League, and his full-time role there also includes the recent acquisition of Rangers Football Club in Glasgow, Scotland.
“Throughout his career, he helped shape our football team, played a key role in the development of Levi’s Stadium, and contributed to building our reputation across global sports,” 49ers controlling owner Jed York said in an email to staff. “His leadership and long-term commitment have shaped this organization in lasting ways.”
Brian Hampton has played a key role in the 49ers’ contract talks in recent years, having been promoted a year ago to assistant general manager. Also back in the 49ers’ front office this year is Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who worked as the Minnesota Vikings’ general manager the past four years and was pivotal in the 49ers’ research and development work from 2013-19.
