49ers’ Ricky Pearsall scores the first touchdown of his career just ten weeks after shooting

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49ers’ Ricky Pearsall scores the first touchdown of his career just ten weeks after shooting

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

Pearsall connected with quarterback Brock Purdy on a deep crosser, allowing the University of Florida rookie 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 San Francisco’s Union Square. The gunshot wound on the right side of his chest healed quickly after the incident. The 49ers repeatedly referred to the shooting as miraculous, as the bullet passed through his body without hitting vital organs or even a rib. Pearsall was released from hospital a day after the incident and visited by the team facility two days later.

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After the shooting, Pearsall was placed on injured reserve and returned to action less than two months later on October 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 @S1ickSzn ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uKn0Yp3frO

—NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

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

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

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