Ricky Pearsall's knee injury raises concerns for 49ers' season
15 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 4, 2026, 8:01 PM
Last updated Aug 4, 2026
San Francisco 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall is facing challenges with knee swelling linked to a PCL injury. This condition caused him to miss half of last season, and it's now casting doubt on his potential contributions for 2026. Analysts predict that the team should not expect Pearsall to have a significant role this season. The 49ers have Demarcus Robinson listed as Pearsall's backup on their depth chart as they evaluate their options moving forward.
- •Pearsall's knee swelling is related to a previous PCL injury.
- •He missed eight games last season due to the same injury.
- •Analysts suggest Pearsall may not contribute significantly in 2026.
- •Demarcus Robinson is expected to take on more responsibilities.
- •The 49ers had high hopes for Pearsall this season.
- 8:01 PMYahoo Sports — Why Ricky Pearsall's rare PCL surgery was the 49ers' last resort: ‘Significant risks'
- 10:07 PMSan Francisco Chronicle — 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will have season-ending knee surgery: 'We're gutted' - San Francisco Chronicle
- 8:59 PMYahoo Sports — ‘They Cost Him a Year of His Career’ — 49ers Analyst Slams San Francisco’s Handling of Ricky Pearsall’s Injury
- 7:57 PMCBS NFL — Ricky Pearsall injury: 49ers receiver to undergo season-ending surgery on lingering PCL
- 7:13 PMYahoo Sports — 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall faces long recovery timeline after PCL surgery
- 6:18 PMESPN — 49ers' Pearsall to have season-ending surgery
- 5:13 PMYahoo Sports — 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall to undergo season-ending knee surgery
- 5:12 PMYahoo Sports — Key San Francisco 49ers WR to Miss Entire Season After Electing PCL Surgery
"The San Francisco 49ers will play the 2026 NFL season without Ricky Pearsall, as he will undergo a season-ending surgery on the PCL injury he first suffered in Week 4 last year. The 49ers’ handling of Pearsall’s injury drew criticism from Grant Cohn, who argued that San Francisco’s original decision not to let the receiver have surgery straightaway carries significant implications.
"San Francisco 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall will have season-ending surgery on his injured right knee in the latest setback for the 2024 first-round pick. General manager John Lynch announced the decision on Saturday for Pearsall to undergo surgery to repair his posterior cruciate ligament. Pearsall initially injured the knee last season and came back to play late in the season.
"San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is expected to have surgery on the nagging PCL injury that dates back to last season and will be out for the year, GM John Lynch told reporters Saturday.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 4, 2026, 8:01 PMWhy Ricky Pearsall's rare PCL surgery was the 49ers' last resort: ‘Significant risks'
Why did it take so long to decide Ricky Pearsall needs surgery? The San Francisco 49ers receiver's case was unusual. Most isolated PCL injuries heal without an operation. Pearsall's did not.
- San Francisco ChronicleAug 1, 2026, 10:07 PM49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will have season-ending knee surgery: 'We're gutted' - San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a knee injury from last season that will require surgery.
- Yahoo SportsAug 1, 2026, 8:59 PM‘They Cost Him a Year of His Career’ — 49ers Analyst Slams San Francisco’s Handling of Ricky Pearsall’s Injury
The San Francisco 49ers will play the 2026 NFL season without Ricky Pearsall, as he will undergo a season-ending surgery on the PCL injury he first suffered in Week 4 last year. The 49ers’ handling of Pearsall’s injury drew criticism from Grant Cohn, who argued that San Francisco’s original decision not to let the receiver have surgery straightaway carries significant implications.
- CBS NFLAug 1, 2026, 7:57 PMRicky Pearsall injury: 49ers receiver to undergo season-ending surgery on lingering PCL
Pearsall has been dealing with the issue since last season
- Yahoo SportsAug 1, 2026, 7:13 PM49ers WR Ricky Pearsall faces long recovery timeline after PCL surgery
The San Francisco 49ers won't have their former first-round pick for the entire season after placing him on season-ending IR.
- ESPNAug 1, 2026, 6:18 PM49ers' Pearsall to have season-ending surgery
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is expected to have surgery on the nagging PCL injury that dates back to last season and will be out for the year, GM John Lynch told reporters Saturday.
- Yahoo SportsAug 1, 2026, 5:13 PM49ers WR Ricky Pearsall to undergo season-ending knee surgery
San Francisco 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall will have season-ending surgery on his injured right knee in the latest setback for the 2024 first-round pick. General manager John Lynch announced the decision on Saturday for Pearsall to undergo surgery to repair his posterior cruciate ligament. Pearsall initially injured the knee last season and came back to play late in the season.
- Yahoo SportsAug 1, 2026, 5:12 PMKey San Francisco 49ers WR to Miss Entire Season After Electing PCL Surgery
San Francisco’s injury woes continue as Ricky Pearsall will undergo season-ending PCL surgery, leaving the 49ers even thinner at wide receiver.
- Yahoo SportsAug 1, 2026, 4:59 PM49ers WR Ricky Pearsall headed to season-ending IR, will have PCL surgery
The injury woes continue for Pearsall, a 2024 first-round pick.
- Yahoo SportsJul 31, 2026, 12:22 AM49ers’ Ricky Pearsall Injury Update Has Major Seahawks, NFC West Implications
Ricky Pearsall’s potentially season-ending knee surgery hands Seattle a major defensive advantage as the 49ers struggle to stabilize their receiving corps ahead of a high-stakes divisional race.
- Yahoo SportsJul 30, 2026, 8:15 PMRicky Pearsall's latest knee injury update is really bleak for 49ers
Here's what we know about Ricky Pearsall's health as the 49ers try to figure out what they can do with their young receiver.
- Yahoo SportsJul 30, 2026, 8:14 PMHow long is Ricky Pearsall out? Latest knee injury update, return timeline for 49ers WR
Here's the latest on Pearsall, who finds himself injured again in his 49ers career.
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