49ers Rookie Ricky Pearsall Set to Play After Recovering from Shooting Incident in California

Pearsall was shot in the chest on August 31 during a robbery attempt by a 17-year-old boy from Tracy.Photo byNaveen VenkatesanonUnsplash

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — In a remarkable comeback, 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will take the field in today's Super Bowl 58 rematch against the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs, just 50 days after being shot in San Francisco’s Union Square.

The 49ers lost the game.

Pearsall was shot in the chest on August 31 during a robbery attempt by a 17-year-old boy from Tracy. Both Pearsall and the juvenile were rushed to the hospital, though neither sustained life-threatening injuries. Pearsall was discharged the following day.

The 49ers are hoping Pearsall’s return will help fill the void left by starting receiver Jauan Jennings, who is sidelined this week with a hip injury. Pearsall’s mother expressed her relief after the incident, saying in a now-deleted Facebook post, "Thanks be to GOD it missed his vital organs."