The San Francisco 49ers receiver has stepped up in a big way to start the 2025 NFL season, becoming the team’s de facto WR1 as injuries mount. Despite that reality, the second-year pro has thrived – regardless of the quarterback or supporting cast.
Already without Jauan Jennings and Brock Purdy on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams, the Niners are running out of weapons for battle.
Injuries are testing the depth of Kyle Shanahan’s team and a short week is only going to present a bigger challenge. Here’s the latest on Pearsall and his availability for Week 5.
Is Ricky Pearsall playing tonight?
Pearsall has been ruled out for Thursday night’s game against the Rams with a knee injury.
The receiver appeared to aggravate an already existing knee injury during the team’s Week 4 loss to the Jaguars. Pearsall said after the game that he felt some instability in the knee after a hard fall, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
He didn’t participate in practice ahead of Thursday night’s game, listed as a DNP on the 49ers injury report and ruled out.
San Francisco is no stranger to being shorthanded this season, but Week 5 might be their toughest test yet. Purdy and Jennings join a group that already includes Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle, leaving the 49ers with little depth on their roster for a key division clash.
49ers WR depth chart
Pearsall isn’t the only 49ers player that will miss Thursday’s game. Here’s what San Francisco has to work with in the receiver room:
Brandon Aiyuk (injured)
Jauan Jennings (injured)
Ricky Pearsall (injured)
Demarcus Robinson
Skyy Moore
Kendrick Bourne
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Robinson figures to be the WR1 for Mac Jones on Thursday in an offense that will also feature plenty of Jake Tonges at tight end. While all the healthy receivers on the roster have starting experience, it’ll be a challenge to overcome losing all that star power on offense.
