San Francisco 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall on Non-Football Injury List After Shooting

49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall carries the ball during the NFL team's rookie minicamp in Santa Clara, Calif., on May 10, 2024. Jeff Chiu/AP Photo

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list after he was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt in the city’s popular Union Square area.

The 23-year-old rookie was released from San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center on Sept. 1 after being listed in fair condition, according to a statement from the team. NFL rules state that a player placed on the reserve/non-football injury list must miss a minimum of four games, but the timeline for Pearsall’s return to the team is still uncertain.

Pearsall was walking alone carrying shopping bags to his car shortly after 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 31 when a 17-year-old suspect attempted to rob him with a gun on Geary Street and Grant Avenue, police said. A physical altercation between Pearsall and the suspect ensued during the attempted robbery, and both were injured when gunfire from the suspect’s firearm was discharged.

San Francisco police officers rendered aid and medics transported both subjects to a local hospital for further medical evaluation. Pearsall is lucky to be alive after the ordeal, according to his mother Erin Pearsall.

“Update on my baby boy,” Erin Pearsall wrote on Facebook on Sept. 1. “First and (foremost) I want to thank GOD for protecting my baby boy. He is extremely lucky, GOD shielded him. He was shot in the chest and it exited out his back. Thanks be to GOD it missed his vital organs. He is in good spirits right now,” she added. “Life is so precious my friends. Please love (each other). My son was spared today by the grace of GOD. Please pray for my baby.”

The suspect from Tracy, California whose name has not been released because he is a juvenile, was arrested on Aug. 31, according to San Francisco Police Chief William Scott.

Scott said at a Sept. 1 press conference the suspect had not targeted Pearsall because he is a professional football player. Many surveillance cameras in the area could help the investigation.

San Francisco Police Sergeant Joelle Harrell was one of the first responders to arrive on the scene and recounted to NBC how she delivered aid and comforted Pearsall.

“I used my strong hand to cover it and used my other hand to cover the other wound,” Harrell said. “It was causing a lot of bleeding. I didn’t want it to bother him. I wanted him to be calm.” “He looks at me and he’s like, ‘Am I gonna die?’ I’m just like, ‘No,’” Harrell said. “I take off my hat because I wanted to make eye contact with him. I wanted him to hear me.

“I said to him, ‘Listen, look at me. I know you don’t know me, but I want you to trust me, it’s not your time. ’You’re strong, Just focus on the breathing.' And he listened. He calmed down, and that’s what I wanted him to do.”

The 49ers selected Pearsall from the University of Florida with the 31st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Pearsall began his career at Arizona State before transferring to Florida for the final two seasons of his eligibility. Over his five-year college career, Pearsall had 2,673 yards receiving with 14 receiving touchdowns and five rushing scores. He also returned punts for Florida, averaging 11.5 yards per return.

Pearsall’s father Father, Rick, played wide receiver and was a kick returner at Northern Arizona, and his mother, Erin, played volleyball at Northern Arizona.