The San Francisco 49ers seemingly chosen a large receiver within the first spherical of April’s draft in anticipation of doubtless changing Brandon Aiyuk. San Francisco drafted Ricky Pearsall with the thirty first general decide with a identified shoulder harm that has now grow to be identified publicly.
Veteran columnist, Michael Silver, went on KNBR radio in San Francisco letting the cat out of the bag concerning the harm.
“Pearsall…has a shoulder factor that’s now recurring and I believe worrying over the lengthy haul – one thing they knew about earlier than they drafted him and have been hoping would not be a factor…” Silver mentioned.
If there may be motive for the Niners to fret over Pearsall’s shoulder, this couldn’t come at a worse time because the group sits deadlocked in a contract dispute with Aiyuk. With no deal in place, Aiyuk may find yourself sitting out video games to start the season. And Pearsall has missed most of coaching camp whereas additionally sitting out the group’s preseason video games.
Ought to the Pearsall harm be greater than meets the attention, which places Kyle Shanahan and common supervisor, John Lynch in a troublesome spot. Whereas the massive wigs play hardball, they’ve a first-round receiver coping with what appears like a lingering shoulder “factor” and one other that might maintain out to start out the 2024 marketing campaign if they can not come to phrases quick.
What’s most alarming about this information is that the 49ers have been conscious of the harm and nonetheless spent a first-round decide on Pearsall. Many occasions, gamers will fall within the draft due to such accidents, so it’s protected to say Shanahan/Lynch should see one thing particular in him.
One factor that seemingly labored in Pearsall’s favor is that the harm is of the higher physique selection. Had he been affected by a decrease extremity harm heading into the draft, the group could have handed within the first and snagged Pearsall later if he’d nonetheless been accessible.
With the Niners ending the preseason in Las Vegas towards the Raiders, they’ll have slightly over two weeks to determine issues out earlier than the season opener with the New York Jets. The 49ers might be down two receiving threats for Brock Purdy towards a Jets protection that almost all assume shall be extremely good.
