Ricky Pearsall's PCL Knee Swelling Returns at 49ers Camp
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- Ricky Pearsall missed Wednesday's practice with PCL swelling in his right knee—the same injury that sidelined him for all or part of 10 games last season, first suffered Sept. 28 against the Jaguars.
- The 49ers expressed "concern" and said they are "exploring all options," which figures to include potential surgical solutions for the recurring knee issue that has plagued Pearsall since Week 4 of last season.
- Christian Kirk also sat out with a calf injury, leaving San Francisco without two of their presumptive top three wideouts just three practices into training camp.
- Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak praised Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, and rookie De'Zhaun Stribling, calling the receiver room "one of the positions where we have a lot of competition."
- Safety Malik Mustapha (hamstring strain) and running back Jordan James (rib fracture)—the early leader to back up Christian McCaffrey—both suffered injuries in Monday's practice.
- Pearsall finished his second NFL season with 36 receptions for 528 yards and no touchdowns across 10 games including the postseason, registering no catches in the NFC Divisional round loss to Seattle.
Why it matters: Two of the 49ers' presumptive top three receivers are already sidelined three practices into camp, forcing Kubiak to audition Robinson, Watkins, Cowing, and Stribling. With Pearsall's PCL recurring and surgery possibly on the table, San Francisco's passing-game depth becomes a primary concern, compounded by simultaneous injuries at safety, running back, and both tackle spots.
