Ricky Pearsall set to make NFL debut for 49ers against Chiefs seven weeks after being shot in San Francisco
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will finally make his NFL debut this weekend — just over a month after he was shot in a botched robbery attempt.
Pearsall, 24, suffered minor injuries after he was shot in San Francisco in late August by a 17-year-old boy who attacked him with his Rolex watch.
The suspect was arrested nearby and charged with attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic weapon and attempted second-degree robbery, as well as several weapons charges.
Nearly seven weeks after the incident, Pearsall is now set to play in the NFL for the first time when the Niners face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan has revealed they will activate Pearsall to avenge their devastating Super Bowl loss to Patrick Mahomes and Co in February.
San Francisco 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall will finally make his NFL debut this weekend
“The boys are excited. He’s been with the guys for a while, so it’s not like he hasn’t been there, it’s like he’s been practicing all week,” Shanahan said of his new receiver.
‘It was great to see him there. I think the guys were really happy for him that he could come back and be a part of it.
“He’s had a great week, and we’re really ready for him to join us.”
Pearsall was shopping at luxury stores in San Francisco’s Union Square when the suspect reportedly saw the 49ers’ first-round pick wearing a Rolex watch and other expensive jewelry. Police say that’s when the 17-year-old tried to rob him at gunpoint.
During the ensuing struggle, the gun was fired several times, striking both Pearsall and the accused teen.
The ex-Florida college star, who was released from a hospital a day after the shooting, was recently reunited with the first responders who helped save his life on the day in question.
Before the Niners’ NFL victory over the New York Jets last month, Pearsall was joined on the field by Sgt. Joelle Harrell and Dr. Lucy Kornblith, who each presented a signed jersey halfway through the first quarter.