Top draft pick Ricky Pearsall gives 49ers huge boost as they start second week of training camp

Having seen his seemingly very quick progress during the offseason workout program checked by a hamstring injury that kept him out of the first week of training camp, San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has now been cleared to try to recapture that momentum.

Pearsall, the Niners' top pick in the 2024 draft, was activated from the non-football injury list on Monday, enabling him to take part in San Francisco's first padded practice.

The 31st overall selection out of Florida had impressed significantly during OTAs and minicamp, earning praise from both quarterback Brock Purdy and head coach Kyle Shanahan for the speed in which he constructed a rapport with the former.

Now, with Brandon Aiyuk still on the sidelines as his 'hold-in' continues , Pearsall will have the chance to further that understanding, with Aiyuk's absence likely to lead to more first-team reps for his former Arizona State teammate.

He'll need to take advantage of them in a hurry. Despite his lofty draft status, Pearsall faces a battle with Jauan Jennings for the third wide receiver spot behind Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Aiyuk will likely still play this season even without a contract extension.

Jennings, having started camp on schedule, probably has the edge at this point. The 2020 seventh-round pick has built huge credit in the bank over his time with the team, which has seen him blossom into a clutch receiver who excels on third down, his ability to flourish when the pressure is at its highest encapsulated by his performance in February's Super Bowl 58 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Pearsall, though, has plenty of time to narrow the gap by continuing to flourish as he did in the workout program, his proficiency for winning quickly with his route-running making him a natural fit with a quarterback in Purdy known for his processing prowess.

And, with the 49ers having a recent track record of players embroiled in long contract sagas going on to endure disappointing subsequent seasons, a player with a similar skill set to Aiyuk hitting the ground running as a rookie could be doubly important for San Francisco.

For now, however, the Niners will be satisfied an injury that happened while he was away from the team is not costing Pearsall any more practice time with the offense and, more pertinently, his quarterback.

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