The San Francisco 49ers will be without wide receiver Ricky Pearsall for the entire 2026 season after he elected to undergo surgery to address a persistent posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury in his knee. The decision was announced on Saturday, with the team and the 25-year-old player determining that this course of action was necessary to facilitate a full recovery.

Pearsall’s knee injury, which has troubled him since the 2025 season, showed no signs of improvement heading into the team's training camp, leading to the choice for season-ending surgery. Despite the setback, the 49ers expect Pearsall to return fully recovered for the 2027 campaign.

Selected by San Francisco in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Pearsall’s professional career has been marred by multiple injuries. During his rookie season, he participated in 11 games despite sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest during an armed robbery attempt near San Francisco’s Union Square in August 2024. The following year, his playing time was limited to nine games due to the lingering PCL injury, but he managed 36 receptions and 528 receiving yards, although he did not record a touchdown.

While Pearsall’s absence presents a challenge, the 49ers’ wide receiver corps remains deep, bolstered by recent acquisitions such as veteran Mike Evans and the re-signing of Deebo Samuel in free agency. Nonetheless, the loss of one of their primary pass catchers comes as the team prepares to face a competitive NFC West division, underscoring the importance of contributions from the rest of the roster as they aim for success in the upcoming season.