The 49ers received a major piece of injury news on Friday ahead of Sunday's Week 7 Super Bowl rematch with the Chiefs. First-round rookie WR Ricky Pearsall is reportedly expected to make his season debut, a significant development given the injuries San Francisco is dealing with on offense.
Pearsall was shot in downtown San Francisco less than two months ago, making this an incredible and inspiring comeback. He's a dynamic talent who would've fit Kansas City's roster well and his potential impact shouldn't be overlooked.
Since the Chiefs are dealing with their own injuries at receiver, every extra piece of encouraging news goes a long way considering oddsmakers expect a close matchup.
San Francisco would be wise to limit Pearsall's snaps, though the coaching staff may not have a choice if Jauan Jennings doesn't suit up. It's unclear if the rookie is 100% healthy. Regardless, he could be a real difference-maker down the stretch.
He began his collegiate career at Arizona State before transferring to Florida for his final two years. During those seasons, Pearsall caught 98 passes for 1,626 yards and nine TDs, adding 175 yards and three scores on the ground.
His 16.6 yards per catch average demonstrates his downfield ability, while his exceptional hands seemingly make him a quarterback's best friend.
Kansas City drafted Texas speedster Xavier Worthy and it's hard to argue that was a bad decision. Worthy has four TDs on just 18 touches so far, showcasing the kind of dynamic skillset that Andy Reid covets.
If JuJu Smith-Schuster is limited or misses Week 7 altogether, the Chiefs will presumably lean more heavily on their rookie. This could be his chance to prove he's the better young wideout, though it's fantastic to see Pearsall make such a quick recovery from a terrifying situation.
