49ers' Ricky Pearsall Returns to Practice After Being Shot in Chest in August

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall took a significant step toward returning to the active roster Monday.

The 49ers announced they opened the practice window for the receiver after he was on the reserve/non-football injury list because he was shot in the chest in August. Pearsall did not play in any of the team's first six games.

As KNBR shared, he was on the practice field Monday a mere 44 days after he was shot:

Pearsall was shot during a robbery attempt in San Francisco on Aug. 31. While he was hospitalized overnight as a result, he also avoided significant damage to any organs and nerves.

"I would think it'd be a longer ramp-up period, but health-wise and everything, he is totally good to go," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters. "But I really won't decide that stuff until we start watching 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."

San Francisco selected Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft.

The wide receiver started his collegiate career at Arizona State before transferring to the Gators ahead of the 2022 season. He posted 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns in 2023 and caught the eye of NFL talent evaluators.

The 49ers decided to use a first-round pick on him, which was all the more notable at the time since there were rumors about the long-term futures of Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel with the team.

While Pearsall missed time in training camp because of hamstring and shoulder injuries, it appeared as if he would be ready to return before he was shot.

Yet he is working his way back for a team looking to turn the corner and compete for an NFC West crown. San Francisco is 3-3 on the season but has some momentum following an important divisional road win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6.

Next up is a Super Bowl rematch against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.