Ricky Pearsall injury update: 49ers wide receiver out for 2026 season

The San Francisco 49ers announced Aug. 1 that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will be placed on Injured Reserve, ending his 2026 season before it began.

Niners GM John Lynch told reporters on Aug. 1 that Pearsall will have season-ending surgery to repair the PCL in his knee, an injury that he suffered last season.

While the hope was to avoid surgery, ultimately, Pearsall did not recover to the point that he was able to play without it.

"Most (PCL injuries) resolve themselves without surgery," Lynch said. "Unfortunately, Ricky's did not. He did well throughout the offseason. He got to the point that he ramped it up to last gear right before camp. And he came to camp and the rigors of camp, competition and whatnot, he swelled up right away."

Pearsall sat out three days into training camp with pain from a swollen knee and missed San Francisco's July 29 practice, causing concern amongst the team's decision-makers.

San Francisco had searched for someone to fill the void at wideout following Pearsall's injury and the ongoing Brandon Aiyuk saga, resulting in a reunion with Deebo Samuel Sr.

Pearsall's IR designation made room on the roster for the return of Samuel, the team said. Samuel signed with the 49ers, finalizing a return to the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

The veteran receiver signed a one-year deal, worth up to $7 million on July 30, as confirmed by USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon.

Ricky Pearsall injury update

The 25-year-old receiver he suffered the PCL injury in Week 4 during the 2025 season. Pearsall started in nine games for San Francisco where he posted career-highs with 36 receptions for 528 yards in the 2025 season.

He dealt with his knee injury throughout all last season that kept him out six contests.

The 49ers later said they would be "exploring all options," including surgery. As a result, Pearsall will be sidelined for the entire 2026 season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ricky Pearsall injury update: 49ers wide receiver out for 2026 season