49ers to place Ricky Pearsall on season-ending IR

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

49ers to place Ricky Pearsall on season-ending IR

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Aug 1, 2026 1:17 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has had a tough time finding his footing in the NFL.

Pearsall has consistently dealt with injuries, some of which were out of his control.

Earlier in the week, it was reported that San Francisco may be expecting to not get any contributions from Pearsall this season and that concern has now been confirmed.

Ricky Pearsall is going on season-ending injured reserve

According to 49ers general manager John Lynch, the team will be placing Pearsall on the season-ending injured reserve list.

Pearsall has been dealing with a PCL injury that dates back to last season and according to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the decision to undergo season-ending surgery was made.

After lengthy discussions with doctors, 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is expected to undergo season-ending surgery on the nagging PCL injury that dates back to last season and be out for the year, John Lynch told reporters. Pearsall is expected to make a full recovery in… pic.twitter.com/JzS0yG4uce
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 1, 2026

The Deebo Samuel signing was very telling

San Francisco reuniting with wide receiver Deebo Samuel just one season after trading him was a very telling sign of how the organization viewed Pearsall's chances of contributing in 2026.

It was clear the moment that Samuel signed, it was becoming a worst-case scenario for Pearsall and his chances of playing during the 2026 season.

Health will be the main focus headed into the 2027 season

With Pearsall expected to miss all 17 games this season, he will have in just 20 of a possible 51 games so far in his three-year career.

While again, some of those injuries have been out of his control, the former first-round pick is slowly headed toward being labeled as a bust.

A fully healthy and determined Pearsall returning for the 2027 season could make for a breakout season and silence all critics who believe his career will not amount to the level of a first-round pick.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

More must-reads: