49ers bring in a familiar NFC West name for wide receiver tryout amid new injury concerns

The San Francisco 49ers are giving another wide receiver a chance on their sideline tryout circuit, a move that reflects how quickly roster needs can change even late in the offseason. According to Yahoo Sports, the team is facing yet another injury crisis at wide receiver, with Ricky Pearsall working through what the 49ers characterized as concerning knee swelling.

Pearsall’s situation matters because he is part of the group the 49ers have used as a reliable component of their passing mix. When a receiver is dealing with swelling, the immediate question becomes availability for practice work and the timing of any return. In a position group where timing and route repetition are central to early-season execution, even short absences can create ripple effects for both starters and backups.

Yahoo also reported that Christian Kirk, acquired as a free agent, has been sidelined by a calf injury. Compared with a knee issue, a calf injury can affect sprint mechanics and practice tempo, and it generally leads teams to manage workload cautiously. The 49ers, in that context, have sought to keep options open while they determine what the receiver room can realistically handle day to day.

Amid those challenges, San Francisco has reportedly brought in multiple wideouts for tryouts, described as a trio of receivers. One name is familiar to NFC West followers: a former top draft pick from the Seattle Seahawks. The Yahoo report frames the tryout as a potential return to the division for a player who previously scored his only NFL touchdown against the 49ers.

For the 49ers, the short-term goal is simple: evaluate talent in real time and create depth that can withstand setbacks. With Pearsall’s knee swelling and Kirk’s calf issue both mentioned in the same report, the team’s willingness to look outward suggests the receiver plan may still be in flux entering the next phase of offseason preparation.

For the player coming from Seattle, the opportunity is also clear. Tryouts are often about fit, athletic testing, and how quickly a receiver can grasp coverage concepts and timing with quarterbacks. Being a former Seahawks draft pick adds an extra layer of storyline value for 49ers fans in the rivalry, but the decision ultimately comes down to day-to-day performance and how the team’s needs line up with the skill set being offered.

The next thing to watch is whether Pearsall’s swelling and Kirk’s calf issue affect practice availability in a way that forces the 49ers to make more permanent roster decisions. If either player’s status lingers into later workouts, tryout momentum could turn into a more defined depth plan at wide receiver, with competition settling into specific roles rather than broad auditions. Meanwhile, the tryout of the former Seahawks draft pick will likely be judged against how quickly he can separate and contribute in the passing game under current team instructions.