Ricky Pearsall Sidelined by PCL Swelling as 49ers Explore Surgery Options

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall missed Wednesday's practice due to swelling in his right PCL, an injury that cost him 10 games last season.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall did not participate in Wednesday's practice following swelling in the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) of his right knee. This flare-up occurred after only three training camp sessions and involves the same injury that sidelined Pearsall for all or parts of 10 games during the previous season. The organization confirmed they have "concern" regarding the condition and are currently "exploring all options," which includes potential surgical solutions for the recurring issue.

Pearsall finished his second NFL campaign with 36 receptions for 528 yards and zero touchdowns across 10 appearances, including the postseason. His final outing of the year resulted in zero catches and no yardage during an NFC divisional round loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The wideout originally sustained the PCL damage on September 28 during a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, a game he entered as questionable due to prior soreness in his left knee.

Chronic Knee Issues and Timeline

The right knee injury has plagued Pearsall intermittently since Week 4 of last year. Following the initial September setback, he remained out of the lineup for six consecutive contests before returning to action on November 16 against the Arizona Cardinals. Pearsall managed to play in four straight games before aggravating both the knee and an ankle during a matchup with the Tennessee Titans.

This secondary aggravation forced him to miss a subsequent game against the Indianapolis Colts. While he returned to the field on December 28 to face the Chicago Bears, he was forced to sit out the following two games. His availability has been inconsistent since the September 28 defeat, leading the front office to evaluate more permanent medical interventions this week.

Growing 49ers Injury Report

The San Francisco receiving corps is currently depleted as fellow wideout Christian Kirk is also missing practice time due to a calf injury. With two of the presumptive top three receivers unavailable, offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak utilized Wednesday’s session to increase repetitions for Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling. Kubiak noted that the group is showing growth and competing for spots during the ongoing training camp.

Beyond the wide receiver room, the 49ers added several names to the injury list on Wednesday. Safety Malik Mustapha, who is in a positional battle with Marques Sigle for a starting role, is sidelined with a hamstring strain. Running back Jordan James, currently the primary candidate to backup Christian McCaffrey, suffered a rib fracture. Both James and Mustapha were injured during Monday's practice session.

Roster Depth and Recovery Status

Additional absences on the roster include offensive tackle Vederian Lowe, who is recovering from a high ankle sprain. Defensive tackle Gracen Halton is also out of action due to a bone bruise in his knee. Both Lowe and Halton sustained their respective injuries during previous practices prior to the Wednesday report.

The 49ers' medical staff continues to monitor the PCL swelling that has affected Pearsall’s availability since late September. The wideout's inability to stay on the field has limited his production to the 528-yard mark established over his 10 active games last season. As the team moves through training camp in Santa Clara, the focus remains on whether the "options" explored will necessitate a long-term absence for the second-year receiver.