49ers WR Ricky Pearsall undergoes knee surgery, faces nine-month recovery

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has undergone surgery to repair the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee, initiating an estimated nine‑month recovery timeline. The procedure was announced by Pearsall on social media Thursday, opening the rehabilitation process after the injury ended his 2026 campaign before it could begin. Pearsall first sustained the damage during a Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the previous season. Initially, the 49ers and the player opted for a non‑surgical approach during the offseason, hoping rest and targeted therapy would allow the ligament to heal. After renewed swelling emerged following three training‑camp practices, surgery became the preferred course of action. San Francisco placed Pearsall on season‑ending injured reserve earlier this month. In his statement, Pearsall shared the following words exactly as posted: “Nothing to beryllium disappointed about. No regrets. No what ifs. Just bid successful the midst of yet different trial, knowing I did everything I could. I gave myself clip to disconnect from the world, process everything, and displacement my absorption toward what’s up implicit these adjacent 9 months.” He added: “The roadworthy backmost starts now. I’m acceptable for each portion of it. Every aboriginal morning. Every setback. Every tiny triumph cipher sees. Every measurement that gets maine person to stepping backmost connected that field.” He also said he had “no regrets” regarding the decision‑making process surrounding the injury and emphasized his focus on the work ahead. The setback marks another obstacle in the career of the 2024 first‑round pick. Pearsall missed the opening six games of his rookie season after being shot during an attempted robbery in San Francisco. He rebounded in 2025, recording 36 receptions for 528 yards over nine games, bringing his career totals to 67 catches for 928 yards and three touchdowns in 20 contests. If rehabilitation proceeds as scheduled, the 49ers anticipate Pearsall will be available for the start of the 2027 season. His absence will require San Francisco to lean more heavily on a revamped receiving corps that includes veterans Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, while Pearsall faces a pivotal fourth season and a forthcoming decision on his fifth‑year option next offseason.