49ers Lose Ricky Pearsall for 2026 Season After Knee Surgery Decision, Reunite With Deebo Samuel

The San Francisco 49ers will be without wide receiver Ricky Pearsall for the entire 2026 season after the team placed him on injured reserve Saturday due to a lingering right knee injury that will require surgery. General manager John Lynch announced that Pearsall is expected to undergo surgery within the next few weeks to repair a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) issue. The projected recovery timeline is between six and 12 months, with the nine-month mark viewed as a possible target for his return. Pearsall, 25, had been managing the knee problem since Week 4 of last season, when he suffered the injury during a matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The setback affected much of his 2025 campaign, forcing him to miss all or part of 10 games. The 49ers initially decided against surgery during the offseason, believing rest and rehabilitation could allow Pearsall to regain full strength. However, swelling returned shortly after the start of training camp, leading the team to reconsider its options. "After the season, we reevaluated everything and the consensus was that surgery wasn't the right step at that time," Lynch said. "He did well throughout the offseason, but then ran into some setbacks. After consulting with our medical staff and outside doctors, the decision was made that surgery was the appropriate course of action." The injury ends what was expected to be a major opportunity for Pearsall, the team's first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. After an inconsistent start to his career, the 2026 season was viewed as a chance for him to take a larger role in San Francisco's offense.

Pearsall appeared in 10 games last season, including the postseason, recording 36 receptions for 528 yards and no touchdowns. His season was interrupted multiple times after the initial knee injury, including absences following setbacks against the Tennessee Titans and other opponents. While Pearsall’s season is over, the 49ers made a significant move to strengthen their receiver group by bringing back Deebo Samuel on a one-year contract. Samuel was added to the roster after taking Pearsall's spot, returning to San Francisco after the team traded him to the Washington Commanders during the 2025 offseason. Lynch said the organization was interested in reuniting with Samuel regardless of Pearsall’s injury situation. "Deebo makes us better as a football team, and we're always looking for ways to improve," Lynch said. "He has been one of the better players in football at times, and we were able to find common ground on a deal."

The 49ers originally drafted Samuel in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he became one of the most versatile weapons in the league during his first stint with the team. His return gives San Francisco another experienced playmaker as it adjusts to losing Pearsall for the upcoming season.