Ricky Pearsall, one of the 49ers’ promising rookies, is officially out for the entire season, hitting the Injured Reserve list with a PCL issue. The team’s hopeful he can make a full recovery and be back in 2027, which is wild considering that’ll be the final year of his original four-year contract. But honestly, with how another rookie, De’Zhaun Stribling, is tearing it up in camp right now, Pearsall’s absence might just be kicking open the door for a new star.
The “Strib!” Show Is Underway
This kid, Stribling, is making serious waves, even with a little hamstring tightness. A team spokesman clarified it’s not a full-blown strain, which is good, because Stribling’s coming off a pair of impressive practices already. They’re saying he’s the most impressive wide receiver in camp outside of Mike Evans, who’s a six-time Pro Bowler! Evans himself all but shouted out “Strib!” when asked about standouts, saying he’s had a “really good offseason and OTAs and he’s continued to do that in training camp.” This is a huge opportunity for Stribling with Pearsall out and Christian Kirk nursing a sore calf. The dude is big, accelerates smoothly out of cuts, catches everything cleanly, and quarterbacks already trust him. You know it’s real when an insider says Stribling’s early-camp play has been more consequential than any 49ers highly drafted rookie receiver since Aiyuk in 2020 and Deebo in 2019, already placing him above guys like Pearsall, Dante Pettis, Danny Gray, and Jalen Hurd. That’s serious praise!
Deebo Is Back In Shape and Shanahan Returns
In other news, Deebo Samuel showed up in “really good shape” and hit the ground running in his first practice, making waves. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who literally joked he “hated Deebo so long” as an opponent, is hyped to have him back. Morris called him a “highly competitive guy” you always have to game plan around because he’s the “ultimate piece that can move around.” Deebo’s versatility is no joke, running the ball, lining up at receiver, taking screens, even doing special teams stuff. Meanwhile, Coach Kyle Shanahan made his first team address this morning since his car accident. The team was excited to see him, and he got a nice welcome back. It’s good to have the head coach back talking to the squad.
With Pearsall done for the year, and Christian Kirk on the mend, other guys are gonna get their shot. We’re talking about Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing, plus undrafted free agent Wesley Grimes, who could slide into the “F” role as a bigger body and the “Z” opposite Evans. Keion White’s also got an adductor issue. It’s early August, and this team is already facing some serious injury tests, but it looks like they’ve got some young talent ready to step up. We’ll be watching to see if “Strib” keeps showing out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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