49ers Worried About Lingering Knee Swelling for WR Ricky Pearsall

The San Francisco 49ers are monitoring a knee issue for wide receiver Ricky Pearsall after the team reported Wednesday that he is still sidelined by swelling in his right knee. The problem is described as connected to a posterior cruciate ligament injury Pearsall suffered previously, an injury that ultimately forced him to miss eight games during the 2025 regular season.

In the update, the 49ers said the swelling is related to the earlier PCL injury, and the club expressed concern that the knee remains an issue. While training camp provides an early look at roles and availability, Pearsall’s status adds uncertainty to a position group that relies on consistent route-running reps and in-structure timing with the quarterback.

According to the team’s reported comments, Pearsall participated in just two practices during training camp before the current sidelined situation emerged. With no return timeline provided, the 49ers said they are evaluating all options, suggesting internal decisions will be driven by how the knee responds to treatment and progression rather than a fixed schedule.

The posterior cruciate ligament is one of the key stabilizers in the knee, and PCL injuries can complicate cutting, acceleration, and sustained weight-bearing during routes. Even when players return to field activity, swelling can be a sign that the joint is still not tolerating workload at the level a full camp and regular-season routine demands.

For San Francisco, the timing of this development matters because early camp reps often determine preseason usage patterns and can influence how quickly coaches are comfortable with assignments in team periods. Limited participation also affects the chemistry built through timing on intermediate and crossing routes, areas where a receiver’s footwork and ability to sink into breaks are essential.

Pearsall’s situation also creates a practical roster-building challenge. The 49ers must balance the need to evaluate other targets and depth options with the desire to have the most proven skill pieces available for the later part of camp as they finalize their offensive rotation.

What to watch next is whether the team provides any measurable progression steps. Even without a timetable, future communications may indicate whether Pearsall moves from observation and treatment to a more regular practice plan, or whether San Francisco’s “all options” evaluation points toward a longer absence.

Until additional information is released, Pearsall’s availability remains the central question. The 49ers’ approach in the coming days will likely reveal how cautious they intend to be with a knee that has already caused missed games in 2025, and how quickly they expect him to be ready for full-contact practice demands.