Ricky Pearsall will make his NFL debut on Sunday against the Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium, 50 days after the San Francisco 49ers’ rookie wide receiver was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt in Union Square. The first-round pick practiced Monday for the first time since the shooting, and head coach Kyle Shanahan had cautioned that Pearsall could need a few weeks to get game-ready, given his extended absence. However, Pearsall was so impressive in practice this week that Shanahan said no one formally told him he’d be activated to the 53-man roster for Sunday’s game: He was given so many snaps this week that it was obvious the 49ers planned for him to play against Kansas City. “There was no expectation because we hadn’t seen him out there in a while,” Shanahan said. “Monday I didn’t even really count because it was a walkthrough (practice). But Wednesday, he looked great. And Thursday, he looked even better. And today. he was even more comfortable. So that made the decision pretty easy.”
Pearsall will play with wide receiver Jauan Jennings sidelined for Sunday’s game because of a hip injury that’s not expected to be long-term, but Shanahan said Jennings’ absence didn’t influence the decision to activate Pearsall. More For You Can Brock Purdy restore the 49ers’ swagger with a win over the Chiefs?
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Pearsall missed most of training camp with hamstring and shoulder injuries before he was sidelined for more than six weeks because of the gunshot wound, which prevented him from fully lifting his right arm above his shoulder until recently. Pearsall, who played at Florida, last played in a game on Nov. 25 when the Gators lost 24-15 to Florida State. Despite his inactivity, Shanahan said Pearsall wouldn’t be on a snap count Sunday, but Shanahan indicated Pearsall’s playing time could be limited by his understanding of the offense. “He’s been given a ton of stuff,” Shanahan said. “I know he’ll get better as the year goes. We understand that with our expectations. Missing all the time makes it hard schematically and getting in and out of the huddle. But he’s working his butt off to catch up. He’s gotten better each day.”
The move to activate Pearsall was foreshadowed a day earlier when quarterback Brock Purdy noted the rookie appeared ready to make an impact based on his practice performances. “He’s doing a really good job, obviously being back and just bringing the juice,” Purdy said. “He’s going really fast in and out of his cuts and creating some really good separation. … For him to get in and actually be a part of our offense – not just a young guy that’s trying to learn his way – but actually trying to make an impact early … for me, I love it.” Kicker carousel: The 49ers will have their third kicker in three games Sunday.
Anders Carlson, who was signed Tuesday, will make his debut with the 49ers against the Chiefs because of back and shoulder injuries suffered by Matthew Wright in his debut in a 36-24 win over the Seahawks on Oct. 10. The 49ers will place Wright on injured reserve Saturday and activate Carlson from the practice squad. Wright was subbing for Jake Moody, who suffered a high ankle sprain in a loss to the Cardinals on Oct. 6 and is expected to miss at least the next two games. Carlson, 26, a 2023 sixth-round pick by the Packers, was waived by Green Bay in August after he made 27 of 33 field-goal tries and 34 of 39 extra-point attempts as a rookie. Carlson’s final kick last season was a missed 41-yard field-goal attempt with 6:18 remaining in the 49ers’ 24-21 divisional-playoff win against the Packers at Levi’s Stadium. Trailing 21-17 when Carlson missed, the 49ers responded with a game-winning, 69-yard touchdown drive. In other injury news, defensive tackle Kevin Givens (groin) and cornerback Darrell Luter (pelvis) are questionable to play Sunday.
