Ricky Pearsall knee injury gives 49ers fresh training camp concern
Ricky Pearsall missed 49ers practice with swelling in his right knee, the same PCL issue that disrupted his 2025 season.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Ricky Pearsall’s knee injury is back on the 49ers’ worry board after the San Francisco receiver sat out Wednesday’s training camp practice with swelling in the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
The flare-up came after only three training camp practices. The 49ers said Wednesday they have some “concern” about the latest issue and are “exploring all options” for what comes next, ESPN reported.
Wagoner reported that those options are expected to include possible surgical answers for a knee problem that has bothered Pearsall at multiple points since Week 4 of last season.
What is Ricky Pearsall's knee injury?
The 49ers identified the problem as swelling in the posterior cruciate ligament, or PCL, in Pearsall’s right knee. It is the same injury that cost him all or part of 10 games last season, according to ESPN.
Pearsall first sustained the injury during a Sept. 28 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, ESPN reported. That came after a week in which he had soreness in his left knee and was listed as questionable before playing in the game.
After the Jaguars game, Pearsall missed six straight contests. He returned Nov. 16 against the Arizona Cardinals, then played the next four games before aggravating the knee and an ankle against the Tennessee Titans, according to ESPN.
The stop-start season continued from there. ESPN reported Pearsall missed the following game against the Indianapolis Colts, came back Dec. 28 against the Chicago Bears, then sat out the next two games before returning for the NFC divisional-round matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
In that season-ending loss to Seattle, Pearsall did not record a catch or receiving yard. ESPN reported he finished his second NFL season with 36 catches for 528 yards and no touchdowns while appearing in 10 games, including the postseason.
Who gets more 49ers receiver snaps now?
Pearsall is not the only wide receiver missing time. ESPN reported that Christian Kirk is dealing with a calf injury and also did not practice, leaving San Francisco without two of its expected top three receivers.
That shortage opened the door Wednesday for Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling to get more work, according to ESPN.
Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said the receiver group is improving as camp goes on.
“They’re getting better,” Kubiak said, according to ESPN. “I’ve just seen a lot of growth across the board. Those guys come out every day with the right mindset. They’re on their assignments, they’re working, they’re competing.”
Kubiak added that the position has “a lot of competition” and said he is eager to see how it develops through the rest of training camp.
Which other 49ers are hurt?
The 49ers also added safety Malik Mustapha and running back Jordan James to their injury list Wednesday, ESPN reported. Mustapha, who is competing with Marques Sigle for a starting job, has a hamstring strain.
James, described by ESPN as the early leader to back up Christian McCaffrey, has a rib fracture. Both Mustapha and James were injured during Monday’s practice and are expected to miss time, according to the report.
Offensive tackle Vederian Lowe is already out with a high ankle sprain, while defensive tackle Gracen Halton has been sidelined by a knee bone bruise, ESPN reported.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.