OCTOBER 2: The 49ers have not opened Pearsall’s practice window yet, as noted by NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. Pearsall could still return to the practice field in the coming days, but the fact San Francisco did not bring him back into the fold at the first opportunity is of course an indication he may not be activated until after Week 5.

SEPTEMBER 30: Ricky Pearsall is now eligible to come off injured reserve, and there’s a chance the rookie receiver returns to the practice field this week. ESPN’s Nick Wagoner says “all signs have been pointing to” the 49ers opening Pearsall’s practice window, although Kyle Shanahan later cautioned that the team still hasn’t made a definitive decision (per Matt Barrows of The Athletic).

[RELATED: 49ers Place WR Ricky Pearsall On NFI List]

The first-round pick was the victim of an attempted robbery in late August in which he suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. There was good news in the aftermath; the 23-year-old was initially in serious but stable condition and avoided damage to any vital organs. The bullet also didn’t strike any ribs, a factor which allowed Pearsall to be hospitalized for less than a week.

The rookie was subsequently placed on the NFI list, meaning he’d need to be sidelined until at least Week 5. There was always optimism that Pearsall would make his debut at some point during the 2024 season. It was only recently that hope grew for an October return to the practice field, and it sounds like the wideout may admirably hit that mark. As we learned earlier this month, returning Pearsall from the NFI list to the active roster will count as one of the 49ers’ allotted eight activations for the 2024 campaign.

The snakebitten 49ers will welcome back their rookie wideout, who could find himself with a rotational role by the end of the campaign. Jauan Jennings had a standout Week 3 while filling in for Deebo Samuel, and he’ll likely retain his WR3 behind the veteran and Brandon Aiyuk. Pearsall could supplant the likes of Chris Conley, Ronnie Bell, and Jake Cowing at the bottom of the depth chart, and the 31st-overall pick could be in line for a starting role in 2025 considering Samuel’s trade candidacy.

Not long after Ricky Pearsall was upgraded from serious but stable condition to fair condition, more good news has emerged regarding the 49ers rookie wide receiver. He has been released from the hospital Sunday afternoon, The Athletic’s Matt Barrows reports.

Pearsall was shot during an attempted robbery on Saturday. Per Erin Pearsall, Ricky’s mother, the bullet entered his chest and exited through his back without hitting any vital organs. She added that her son is in good spirits. The first-round pick will continue recuperating away from the hospital.

A statement from the San Francisco Police Department indicated Pearsall, 23, was shot in the chest while on his way to a signing event. The shooting took place in San Francisco’s Union Square. A struggle for the gun took place, and both he and the suspect, a 17-year-old male, were shot. A discharge occurring so soon after the shooting represents great news for Pearsall, all things considered.

The former Florida and Arizona State wideout had been expected to play a key role on this year’s 49ers team, but that is certainly on hold while the prospect recovers. The 49ers are well positioned at wideout this year, though their wait on Pearsall’s on-field development is obviously not the main focus right now.

It is too soon to speculate on when Pearsall will be able to resume his playing career. The 49ers drafted him on the same day in which Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel trade talks occurred. Those discussions continued to Day 2 of the draft, but John Lynch closed the book on them post-draft. Pearsall’s development stands to loom as a factor for Samuel’s long-term San Francisco status, but Aiyuk is now signed to a four-year extension and the oldest of the team’s WR starters is also signed for two more years.

Pearsall began 49ers training camp on the team’s active/NFI list due to a hamstring injury, doing so after he had participated in offseason workouts in a limited capacity. The former Aiyuk college teammate had then sustained a partially dislocated shoulder that kept him out for weeks. His recent experience certainly minimizes those minor maladies, and the 49ers will begin their season without the rookie, whose recovery will become a central storyline for the defending NFC champions.

SEPTEMBER 1, 1:34pm: More good news is coming from the Pearsall situation. Staff at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital have upgraded rookie wide receiver to fair condition, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco reports.

12:28pm: Pearsall’s mother, Erin Pearsall, provided an encouraging update on Facebook this morning (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle). Per Erin Pearsall, the bullet entered Ricky’s chest and exited through his back without hitting any vital organs. She added that her son is in good spirits.

Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area noted that the team had its traditional party to celebrate the 53-man roster at head coach Kyle Shanahan‘s house last night, which obviously suggests the club is optimistic about a full recovery for the first-round wideout.

AUGUST 31, 10:00pm: A statement from the 49ers confirms Pearsall’s injury was indeed to the chest. He remains in serious but stable condition.

8:30pm: Pearsall suffered a through and through injury to his arm, Cunningham’s colleague Kirsten Moran-Kellar clarifies in an update. It was the suspect who appears to have been shot in the chest. Pearsall has already spoken with police about the incident, and further developments on his condition will be provided as they become available.

7:02pm: Rookie 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot during an attempted robbery on Saturday. The incident took place in San Francisco’s Union Square, as first reported by Dion Lim of KGO-TV.

Providing further details on the matter, NBC Bay Area’s Gia Vang adds that Pearsall is in stable condition. Local law enforcement has stated the suspect, a 17-year-old male, is in custody. As further information on the incident emerges, the fact Pearsall is stable and receiving treatment is of course an encouraging sign.

A statement from the San Francisco Police Department notes that Pearsall, 23, was shot in the chest while on his way to a signing event. A struggle for the gun took place, and both he and the suspect were shot (h/t Sean Cunningham of Fox40). In addition to Pearsall, the suspect is in the hospital in stable condition.

Pearsall began his college career at Arizona State, spending three years there and showing promise during the 2021 campaign in particular. He transferred to Florida and played two seasons with the Gators, taking a step forward in terms of production both years. After averaging 20 yards per reception in 2022, Pearsall posted career highs in catches (65) and yards (965) last year.

That helped him confirm his status as one of the top receivers in a deep 2024 draft class. Pearsall was selected with the No. 31 pick, adding him to a 49ers receiver room which has been at the heart of considerable speculation during the offseason. San Francisco entertained trade offers for both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, but neither were dealt. Aiyuk’s drawn-out efforts to land an extension came to a conclusion earlier this week, while Samuel is under contract for two more years.

Samuel has added another positive update on Pearsall’s condition. The latter dealt with hamstring and shoulder injuries during his first NFL offseason, and he was limited in training camp. Pearsall was also sidelined for the entire preseason after dealing with multiple shoulder subluxations during the summer. That same ailment occurred during his college career, but it did not result in missed time. Needless to say, this injury will have Pearsall sidelined for a stretch.