49ers may lose key offensive player for the rest of the season

The San Francisco 49ers may not have one of their most important offensive pieces for the entire season.

49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is experiencing swelling in his right knee where he suffered a PCL injury last season. The injury had been expected to heal during the offseason, but the swelling has persisted.

In an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” Friday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Pearsall is meeting with doctors and there is a real concern he might not even be able to play this season.

“He’s going through his meetings with doctors and there are absolute questions about if and when he’ll be able to play this season that have to be answered still by the doctors,” Schefter said.

There Are Absolute Questions About Ricky Pearsall’s Availability For The 2026 Season. Per, @AdamSchefter

“He’s going through his meetings with doctors and there are absolute questions about if and when he’ll be able to play this season.” pic.twitter.com/lZky4idZy2

— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) July 31, 2026

The growing doubts about Pearsall’s availability almost certainly have something to do with the 49ers’ unexpected decision to bring back Deebo Samuel for a second stint with the organization.

Pearsall’s first NFL season was disrupted when he was wounded in a shooting just before the start of the 2024 season. He caught 36 passes for 528 yards in nine games last season before this latest injury issue flared up.