San Francisco 49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall will return to practice next week for the first time since he was shot in the chest during a robbery nine days before the season started.
There are questions about the rookie’s return since he was shot in broad daylight in San Francisco’s Union Square on August 31.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that the Niners will open the practice window for Pearsall on Monday, when the team begins preparations for a Super Bowl rematch against Kansas City.
Pearsall can practice for three weeks before the 49ers would have to activate him from the non-football injury list. Shanahan did not have a timeline for when Pearsall will be ready to play in games.
“I would think it would be a longer ramp-up period, but health-wise and everything, he’s ready to go,” Shanahan said. “But I won’t really decide until we see him practice. We’re not going to rush it or anything. If he’s ready, he’s ready. And if he’s not, we’ve got a few weeks. “
Pearsall was hospitalized overnight after the shooting that made national news. He avoided organ and nerve damage and was back training at the team facility the following week.
49ers general manager John Lynch said of Pearsall’s condition three days after the incident it was “nothing short of miraculous”.
A teenager arrested in connection with the shooting and attempted robbery was charged with attempted murder by San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
Pearsall, who was drafted in the first round in April, missed the majority of training camp practices with hamstring and shoulder injuries but was expected to be ready for the opener before the shooting.
The 49ers received encouraging news on the status of running back Jordan Mason, who left Thursday night’s 36-24 win at Seattle with a shoulder injury.
Tests showed that Mason sprained the AC joint in his left shoulder and that remains the case.
“We consider it good news,” Shanahan said. “It doesn’t guarantee (next) week or anything. He does have an AC sprain, but it was positive that it wasn’t worse than that. So he’ll be day in and day out this week. Hopefully he’ll be good for the game, but no guarantees.”
Mason replaces injured All-Pro Christian McCaffrey, who has not played this season due to Achilles tendonitis. Shanahan said McCaffrey’s condition is improving but he will not return to practice next week.
Mason’s 610 yards rushing are the most ever for a 49ers player through the first six games of a season.
San Francisco could be looking for a new kicker after Matthew Wright injured his shoulder in kick coverage.
Wright was signed after Jake Moody went down last week with a high right ankle sprain while making a tackle on a kick return. Wright made all three field goals and all three extra points on Thursday night.
Wright had a dislocated shoulder that could be put back in, but he will need an MRI to determine the severity. Shanahan said the team may have to find a replacement next week.
Rookie safety Malik Mustapha suffered a low ankle sprain during the game and was dealing with it every day.
Cornerback Charvarius Ward (knee), defensive lineman Jordan Elliott (knee) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf) all have a chance to be back next week after missing the Seattle game.
