Ricky Pearsall Delivers Breakout Performance as 49ers Eye Playoff Push
SANTA CLARA - For weeks, questions swirled about Ricky Pearsall Jr.’s role in the 49ers’ offense. Why wasn’t he getting targets?
Was there something off between him and Brock Purdy? If you asked Kyle Shanahan, the answer was simple: nothing was wrong - Pearsall just needed a few chances.
On Sunday, he finally got them, and he made them count.
In a 37-24 win over the Tennessee Titans, Pearsall reminded everyone why the 49ers took a chance on him. He caught six passes for a game-high 96 yards, showing off his sharp route-running and burst after the catch. It was his best outing since late September, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for a San Francisco team that’s reshuffling its receiving corps.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Pearsall got dinged up early - first twisting his ankle on the opening play, then later exiting with a knee issue that’s still being evaluated. Still, he brushed it off like a veteran.
“That’s just part of the game,” Pearsall said postgame, smiling. “You wrap it up and keep going.”
A Quiet Stretch, Then a Loud Response
Over the past three games, Pearsall had been nearly invisible in the stat sheet - just nine targets, five catches, and 20 yards. For a young receiver trying to carve out a bigger role, that kind of stretch can be frustrating. But Pearsall kept his head down, kept grinding, and waited for the moment when the game would finally come back to him.
“It’s not about stats,” he said. “It’s about the impact I can make even when I don’t have the ball.
If I’m running hard, blocking hard, it opens things up for Christian [McCaffrey] and the rest of the guys. You just have to trust that the ball will find you eventually.”
That patience paid off. Pearsall and Purdy looked in sync throughout Sunday’s game, connecting on a series of well-timed throws. The chemistry was especially evident on a third-and-13 conversion - a 14-yard dart from Purdy that hit Pearsall in stride - and again on a 38-yard strike during a rollout that set the Niners up in the red zone.
If there were any lingering doubts about Purdy’s arm strength or Pearsall’s readiness, those throws should put them to rest.
Filling Big Shoes in a Changing Offense
With Deebo Samuel now in Washington and Brandon Aiyuk essentially out of the picture, the 49ers are leaning on new faces to carry the load out wide. Jauan Jennings brings the grit - the kind of guy who can make a catch in a phone booth with a defender draped all over him.
Pearsall, on the other hand, brings finesse and separation. Different styles, but both critical to what Shanahan wants to do offensively.
“He can run any route in the tree,” McCaffrey said. “He beats man coverage, he’s got strong hands, and he knows how to get open. In this offense, when you’ve got that kind of skill set, the ball’s going to find you.”
That’s exactly what happened against Tennessee.
Purdy finished the day with 295 yards and three touchdowns on 23-of-30 passing. George Kittle had his usual impact (eight catches, 88 yards, and a score), and Jennings chipped in with two touchdowns of his own. But Pearsall was the spark - the guy who reminded everyone he’s more than just a depth piece.
And the connection between him and Purdy? It’s growing.
“Ricky and I are always honest with each other,” Purdy said. “We talk after plays, break things down, and he’s always thinking about the team first.
He never complains about targets. He just wants to be ready when his number’s called.
Today was one of those days.”
Injuries Still Linger, But Confidence is Rising
Pearsall’s journey hasn’t been easy. He’s battled through shoulder and hamstring issues, missed seven games earlier this season with a PCL strain, and even survived a robbery attempt before his rookie year that left him with a gunshot wound. Through it all, he’s kept showing up - and Sunday was the latest example of that resilience.
Late in the game, he exited with knee discomfort - possibly related to the earlier PCL injury. Shanahan said it didn’t appear serious, but the team will get imaging done to be sure.
“I wouldn’t say I’m super concerned,” Pearsall said. “It’s probably the same stuff I’ve been managing. At least now I know how to deal with it.”
That mindset - steady, unbothered, focused on the next play - is exactly what the 49ers need as they enter a critical stretch. With upcoming games against Indianapolis, Chicago, and Seattle, San Francisco is still very much in the playoff hunt. And if Pearsall can stay on the field, he just might be the X-factor they need to get there.
Shanahan summed it up best: “I don’t think Ricky did anything different than he has the last month. The ball just came his way today.
And he made plays when it did. That says a lot about him.”
It sure does. The 49ers needed a spark - and Pearsall delivered.