49ers Are Delighted as Pearsall Returns To Watch Practice

Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff WriterNick Wagoner is an NFL reporter at ESPN who currently covers both the San Francisco 49ers and league-wide since 2016. Prior to that he spent 12 years covering St Louis Rams before transitioning over to ESPN for 3 seasons between 2013-2015 (Close). Nick has spent 10 years at ESPN covering major news stories such as the Niners 2019 Super Bowl run, Colin Kaepernick’s protest against NFL racism, Michael Sam becoming the first openly gay player drafted to an NFL roster (Rams), Sam’s subsequent quest for roster spot and relocation/stadium issues surrounding teams like Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks and so much more. Nick can be reached on Twitter as @nwagoner in Santa Clara. Following being shot in downtown San Francisco five days earlier, San Francisco 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall made an early reappearance at team practice as they kicked off their official work week ahead of Monday night’s matchup against New York Jets on Thursday morning. Just minutes into practice he strolled out onto the field. Pearsall made his public debut since being shot near San Francisco’s Union Square by an 18-year-old male suspect on Friday wearing an official 49ers T-shirt, gray sweatpants and pair of cleats – donning dark 49ers T-shirt, gray sweatpants and pair of cleats – wearing dark 49ers sweatpants, gray sweatpants and wearing his trademark gray Nike cleats and tossing football to himself while watching receivers go through individual drills on Saturday night when coach Kyle Shanahan recounted an emotional Saturday recollected coach Kyle Shanahan said it had been tough with an emotional Saturday that saw Pearsall being shot during shopping near Union Square near San Francisco’s Union Square mall, where his fellow receivers went through individual drills while shopping near Union Square near Union Square before Coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned its Coach’s presence after recounting Saturday’s experience, saying, Editor’s Picks1 Related “It was really tough.” Editor’s Picks 1 Related “It was really tough,” Shanahan added about an hour earlier when his coach Kyle Shanahan recounted what transpired while recalling Saturday’s emotional Saturday session.” Shanahan mentioned an hour prior to Coach Kyle Shanahan recounted an hour prior. Editor’s Picks All’s practice field appearance when Pearsall’s coach Kyle Shanahan recounted an hour previously by recounting what transpired from San Francisco Union Square shooting by 17 year-year suspect 17 year-year suspect 16 (EDITor Pick 1) “All we knew at that point was that someone had been shot. After making calls and receiving information, it took about an hour for us to figure out where and who the hospital was; unfortunately none of us knew where or when he might have been taken for treatment.” Shanahan received another call approximately 40 minutes later from Pearsall himself saying that he was conscious and talking. This news was confirmed further when Pearsall called Shanahan via FaceTime himself: it was then when Shanahan knew Pearsall would make it. This event “was absolutely astounding”, according to Shanahan: it made them realize their beloved friend would survive after all.” “That moment gave me confidence that everything would work out perfectly!” he exclaimed ecstatically.” “That moment made my day. It was truly wonderful!” Shanahan exclaimed after getting word that his friend would make contact via FaceTime: it “was like knowing he would make it! This whole experience made Shanahan extremely happy, adding: it really amazing what had occurred.” As soon as we heard news of a shooting, there was no information as to where or who had been targeted; therefore we assumed the worst. When hearing that it took place within chest area was even worse news as usually this doesn’t go well for those being shot at. Shanahan revealed that Pearsall was shot about 2 inches below an image of praying hands tattooed across his right chest, according to Shanahan’s account of events. Shanahan reported in subsequent discussions with emergency responders and medical personnel, that only two survivors out of 100 who are shot in one area survive. Pearsall informed his coach via FaceTime call with Shanahan that he still felt capable of playing against the Jets; Shanahan provided Pearsall access to all team members via large screen TV and speakers so Pearsall could FaceTime the team as scheduled on Saturday night start of season party night. “Thank goodness he is still with us today,” linebacker Fred Warner exclaimed, recalling the difficult and life-threatening circumstances under which Pearsall found himself. Luckily for us all, however, Pearsall managed to return back quickly to the 49ers organization and begin rehabilitation quickly after recovering his health. Pearsall was discharged from hospital shortly after midnight Saturday. This brought joyous relief. On Monday and Tuesday he met up with teammates in the weight room before participating in meetings on Monday and Tuesday; on Wednesday and Thursday practice resumed as planned and Pearsall has since been placed on reserve/non-football injury list, meaning he should miss at least four weeks due to this setback. Shanahan announced Pearsall would take some restful days off before initiating rehabilitation therapy and making progress toward his return next week. Shanahan noted the emotional side of Pearsall’s recovery will take precedence as well: the team should avoid making Pearsall “relive it 80 times”, with mental toughness being of paramount importance in coming weeks. Lynch mentioned earlier this week that Pearsall will likely play this season; an impression confirmed by Shanahan on Thursday. “He is one of the strongest individuals I know; just going through something like that shows his character. We knew this from watching him play football; now just seeing how he handled a situation such as this and carrying himself every day since; just shows what an exceptional individual he truly is.” Christian McCaffrey was limited in practice on Thursday with what the Niners are labelling a calf and Achilles injury, according to reports from ESPN.com. Shanahan recently discussed McCaffrey’s Achilles injury as part of that larger story and noted it wasn’t new and related to calf issues that kept her sidelined throughout preseason and training camp. McCaffrey participated in full during Thursday’s 30-minute media window practice session.