Just days after being shot in the chest during a robbery attempt near Union Square, San Francisco 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall has made a remarkable return to the team's practice, observed tossing a football while watching his teammates. According to ESPN, Pearsall strolled onto the field on Thursday, signaling a swift and astonishing beginning to his recovery process.
49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan, in a statement obtained by ESPN, recounted the harrowing hour following the shooting, when the team was initially unaware of Pearsall's condition. The gravity of the situation was underscored by the fortuitous miss of vital organs, as the bullet struck "about 2 inches" below a tattoo on Pearsall's chest. During the FaceTime call that confirmed Pearsall's conscious state, the receiver humorously but earnestly mentioned he believed he could still play against the Jets.
Meanwhile, the alleged shooter, a 17-year-old from Tracy, has been charged with attempted murder and assault, among other charges. In a court hearing covered by CBS News Bay Area, his public defender, Bob Dunlap, conveyed his client's regret over the events, stating, "He's very sorry, genuinely, that this did happen, as is his family."
As detailed by KTVU, 49ers General Manager John Lynch expressed confidence that Pearsall is expected to play this season, despite being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform roster. His presence was felt as a soldier walking through the practice, commented by 49ers Wide Receiver Deebo Samuels, a stark testament to his resilience.
The 49ers are slated to face the New York Jets on Monday at Levi's Stadium, and while Pearsall is expected to make an appearance, he will not be taking the field just yet due to his placement on the reserve list. His recovery, both physically and mentally, will be paramount as the season advances, with Shanahan emphasizing the importance of the team providing support without forcing Pearsall to "relive that 80 times" as he continues to heal from the trauma endured during last Saturday's shooting.
