49ers place WR Ricky Pearsall on IR after scheduling knee surgery, will miss 2026 season

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Saturday that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will undergo knee surgery and be placed on injured reserve, ending his participation in the 2026 season. Pearsall first noticed knee problems during the opening week of training camp, a condition that stemmed from an injury sustained in the 2025 season and was accompanied by swelling. The team subsequently moved him to injured reserve and scheduled posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) surgery, with an expected recovery period of six to twelve months.

Pearsall, a 2024 first-round draft pick from the University of Florida, missed eight games in 2025 due to hamstring and knee issues and played only ten games, including the playoffs, after debuting late in the 2024 season because of a gunshot wound he suffered in August 2024. The 49ers responded to the roster gap by signing veteran receiver Deebo Samuel to a one-year contract, providing coach Kyle Shanahan with an experienced option for the upcoming campaign.

"We wish Ricky a speedy recovery and look forward to having him back when he's healthy," Lynch added.