After former first-round pick Ricky Pearsall missed eight games last season due to a PCL injury, the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver is dealing with swelling related to that very same injury he suffered in 2025.
With San Francisco exploring all options regarding Pearsall’s health and recovery, they could look for another veteran wide receiver to take his place, and one of the most intriguing options is a reunion with Deebo Samuel.
Samuel spent the first six years of his career with the 49ers, catching 334 passes for 4,792 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for another 1,218 yards and 21 touchdowns on 5.6 yards per attempt.
The 49ers moved on from Samuel last offseason, trading him to the Washington Commanders for a 2025 fifth-round pick. In 16 games last season, he caught 72 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran the ball 17 times for 75 yards and found the end zone once.
San Francisco has one of the oldest rosters in the league already, so if Pearsall is going to miss significant time, it wouldn’t be all too surprising to see general manager John Lynch take this opportunity to bring in one of the most talented wideouts left on the market, even if he’s 30.
At this point, Brock Purdy is throwing to Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, De’Zhaun Stribling, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, Demarcus Robinson, Junior Bergen, Malik Turner, Colton Dowell, Wesley Grimes and Will Pauling at wide receiver for now. That room is still a solid one, but losing Pearsall would be a huge hit, and signing a veteran wouldn’t be a bad idea.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Injury to key 49ers WR could lead to reunion with former Pro Bowler
Reporting by Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire / Niners Wire
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By Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire | USA TODAY Network
