Ricky Pearsall Set for Surgery, Latest on 49ers WR's Status and Timeline to Return from Injury

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall's 2026 season is over even before it started due to a knee injury.

General manager John Lynch announced on Saturday that Pearsall will be placed on season-ending injured reserve and undergo surgery to repair his PCL.

ESPN's Nick Wagoner added typical recovery time for PCL surgery is six to 12 months, but the "sweet spot" could be the ninth-month mark.

Lynch said the expectation is Pearsall will make a full recovery and be ready for the 2027 season.

Placing Pearsall on IR opened up a roster spot that the 49ers filled with Deebo Samuel, who officially signed his contract to return to the team on Saturday.

There had been indications recently that Pearsall was at risk of at least missing some time this season.

The 49ers said on Wednesday they were exploring "all options" with Pearsall because he was dealing with swelling in the knee related to the PCL injury he suffered during the 2025 season, and there was "concern" within the organization.

Pearsall originally injured his knee in Week 4 last year against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had a terrific start to the season with 281 yards through the first three games, including 100-yard games against the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals.

The injury flared up later in the season, causing Pearsall to miss two of the last four regular-season games and the playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He had 247 yards over his final seven games, including the Divisional Round loss to the Seahawks.

A first-round pick in the 2024 draft, Pearsall is going to play a total of 20 games through his first three seasons factoring in all of the upcoming campaign.

Losing Pearsall leaves the 49ers with Samuel, Mike Evans, De'Zhaun Stribling, Christian Kirk and DeMarcus Robinson as their top five receivers going into the season.