49ers WR Ricky Pearsall undergoes surgery, reveals recovery timeline

Pearsall also opened up about the difficulty of his latest setback.

"All I've ever known is football," he wrote. "I've never missed a game because of a football injury in my entire career. So when I got the news, it was hard to wrap my mind around the fact that the same injury I had been fighting through, the one that was supposed to be alright, was ultimately going to require surgery and end my 2026 season.

"Just like that, face to face with another challenge."

Pearsall is now preparing to shift his focus toward that challenge, working through his recovery with the goal of returning to the football field.

"The road back starts now," Pearsall continued. "I'm ready for every part of it. Every early morning. Every setback. Every small win nobody sees. Every step that gets me closer to stepping back on that field."

He added, "9 months. Mindset."

The 49ers' receiving corps underwent significant changes this offseason with the additions of veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. San Francisco also used its top draft pick on wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling and reunited with veteran Deebo Samuel.

Pearsall was projected to start opposite Evans and play a significant role in the 49ers' offense. Now, he will have to wait until the 2027 season to return to the field.