Ricky Pearsall Navigates NFL Growing Pains with Veteran Support in 49ers Locker Room
In the heart of the 49ers locker room in Santa Clara, Ricky Pearsall finds himself surrounded by more than just gear and game plans - he’s flanked by two of the most respected veterans in the league: George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey. And for a young wideout trying to find his footing in the NFL, that proximity has been more than just convenient - it’s been essential.
Pearsall’s rookie season hasn’t exactly followed a smooth arc. After being taken in the first round, expectations were high.
But injuries - including a PCL issue and an ankle sprain from a hip-drop tackle - have derailed any chance of early consistency. Through his first three games back, he managed just five catches.
It wasn’t until Week 15 that he finally flashed the potential that made him a top pick, nearly hitting the 100-yard mark.
That kind of resilience doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s forged in the quiet moments, the rehab sessions, and, in Pearsall’s case, the advice passed down from the locker next door.
“Unfortunately, I’ve dealt with injuries,” George Kittle said. “I always give myself 24 to 48 hours depending on what it is, and then after that, attack it like you attack everything else - with a positive mindset.”
Kittle knows the process all too well. The All-Pro tight end has missed five games this season after tweaking a hamstring just 21 plays into Week 1. He understands the frustration of being sidelined, the mental toll it takes, and the importance of shifting focus from what's lost to what can still be gained.
That’s the perspective he’s been passing on to Pearsall - not just as a teammate, but as someone who’s walked the same path.
“Take 48 hours, be as sad and depressed as you want to be,” Kittle told him. “Don’t do anything stupid, but you can be sad.
It’s disappointing. Football is hard.
You want to be a really good player, you want to stay on the field. That stuff happens.”
Then comes the pivot - from frustration to forward motion.
“After that, turn all of your attention into how can you get better,” Kittle continued. “How can you get better to go play football, how can you get your body better, how can you be better in other aspects of your life, whether it’s being a better boyfriend, husband or son. Focus on other things because you can’t exert yourself on the football field, but you can affect everyone in this locker room and everyone in your life in a positive light.”
That kind of mentorship is invaluable for a young player like Pearsall, who’s still trying to carve out a consistent role in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. And it’s not just Kittle in his ear - Christian McCaffrey, who’s endured his own share of setbacks this season, has also been a guiding voice.
McCaffrey’s 2024 campaign was cut short after just four games due to bilateral Achilles tendonitis and a knee injury. The reigning 2023 Offensive Player of the Year knows the grind of recovery, the patience it demands, and the self-belief it requires.
“I’ve been there before and I know what it’s like to try to come back and it’s difficult,” McCaffrey said. “Sometimes it takes a few games to come back to feel like yourself again.
That just is what it is - that’s the nature of the game. But the best thing to do is just keep going.”
That’s exactly what Pearsall is doing. Despite missing practice on Thursday and Friday after aggravating his PCL injury in Week 15, he still has a shot to suit up for the 49ers’ Monday Night Football matchup against the Colts. And if he does, it’ll be another step forward in a season that’s been more about persistence than production.
McCaffrey, for one, is confident that Pearsall’s breakout is coming - and when it does, it’ll be worth the wait.
“I have the utmost respect for Ricky,” McCaffrey said. “He’s an unbelievable player and as good as he’s done, he knows he can do more.
Watching him practice, there’s no one that can cover him. He’s so good, so shifty, so fast, great hands.”
That’s high praise from a player who’s seen just about everything the league has to offer. And it’s a reminder that while the box score might not tell the full story yet, the people who matter most in that locker room - the ones who’ve battled through adversity themselves - see exactly what Pearsall brings to the table.
“The best part about Ricky is he’s going to keep getting better,” McCaffrey added. “And I can’t wait to see when he eventually does pop off, because he’s a special player.”
For now, Pearsall keeps grinding, leaning on the wisdom of his veteran locker mates, and waiting for his moment. The numbers may not be there yet, but the foundation is - built on grit, guidance, and a whole lot of belief.