SANTA CLARA — Ricky Pearsall Jr. will make his 49ers debut Sunday a little more than six weeks after sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday Pearsall would be removed from the non-football injury list and added to the 53-man roster in advance of the 49ers’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium.
“The guys were pumped,” Shanahan said. “He’s been practicing all week. It’s been great to see him out there. He’s had a hell of week and we’re pumped to get him out there.”
Pearsall had his 21-day practice window opened on Monday, when he was so excited he lost his breath breaking down the huddle in a walkthrough-type practice. It turned out he didn’t need anywhere near the 21 days to be proclaimed good to go.
“Monday I didn’t really count because it was a walkthrough,” Shanahan said. “But Wednesday he looked great and Thursday he was better and even more comfortable. Made the decision pretty easy.”
With leading receiver Jauan Jennings (25 receptions, 404 yards, three touchdowns) out with a hip injury, Pearsall should get some meaningful playing time with starters Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, with other available receivers including Chris Conley, Jacob Cowing and Ronnie Bell.
“It was my first time practicing with him, so it was pretty cool,” said Aiyuk, whose contract dispute kept him off the field until September. “The first time I saw him in the huddle, I was like, ‘Oh dang.’ He’s pretty big. And he looks better in person.”
Aiyuk said Pearsall, a one-time teammate at Arizona State, will add “more twitch” to the 49ers’ offense. (Pearsall later transferred to Florida). Pearsall worked against the scout team this week, but starting cornerback Charvarius Ward saw enough of Pearsall earlier this year to form a positive impression.
“You could tell he knows how to play ball,” Ward said. “He has some of the best releases on the team. He has a lot of wiggle.
“Teams are going to have to account for him sooner than later,” Ward added. “He has a chance to go off the next couple of games.”
Asked about Pearsall’s role, Shanahan said, “Whatever he’s needed at. He’s got roles for special teams. He’s got roles as a receiver and we’ll see how the game unfolds. He’s healthy and ready to go.”
Pearsall, drafted in the first round out of Florida at No. 31 overall, has spoken only informally to the media in the locker room, and doesn’t plan to speak on the record until he plays in a game. He was not present in the locker room during the media availability period.
During Friday’s practice, Pearsall, 24, was on the field with teammates during the brief media window, one of only two players in full uniform (including gold pants).
HIs return would come 50 days after being shot in the chest in a robbery attempt at Union Square in San Francisco, with the bullet miraculously exiting Pearsall’s body without hitting any vital organs. The 17-year-old suspect from Tracy was charged with attempted murder, attempted robbery and assault with a semi-automatic firearm.
There were hints that Pearsall might be far enough along to play on Thursday when left tackle Trent Williams was talking about the effectiveness of the rookie class and said it was “Probably the most productive I’ve been around in my career just because it’s from so many different people in so many different positions. And then getting Ricky back, hopefully this Sunday, will add to it.”
When Pearsall takes the field, quarterback Brock Purdy expects more than a token appearance.
“We drafted him in the first round and he’s got a lot of potential,” Purdy said. “For him to get in and actually be a part of our offense, not just a young guy that’s trying to learn his way, but actually making an impact early on, I love it.”
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In his weekly spot on the 49ers’ flagship KNBR-680, general manager John Lynch came close to proclaiming Pearsall good to go and that he would be expected to contribute immediately.
“I can’t say enough about the way he’s handled this whole deal,” Lynch said. “There’s a reason we picked him where we picked him. He’s a really good football player who we believe is going to help this team now and into the future and that could start this weekend.”
