A little more than a week after the 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall was shot during a robbery attempt, he entered Levi’s Stadium before the season opener against the Jets.
Pearsall was not scheduled to play Monday night but still wanted to make sure he was at the stadium to support his team.
“Still got to come through instead, even if we don’t play. It’s whatever,” Pearsall said in a video posted by the 49ers ahead of the opener.
Pearsall, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Monday, appeared in good spirits as he entered the stadium wearing a denim shirt and trousers with holes in them.
While he wouldn’t make his NFL debut, it was a positive sign to see the rookie receiver do so well after the scary incident that occurred on August 31st.
A teenager tried to rob Pearsall of his Rolex, but the footballer fought back and ended up being shot in the chest.
The 17-year-old charged with the robbery was indicted last week and is facing several serious charges including attempted murder.
Pearsall was placed on the non-football injured list last week and will miss at least four games to start the 2024 season.
The 49ers are confident Pearsall will play this season, with general manager John Lynch telling KNBR last week that he would “absolutely” suit up for the Niners.
“He’s going to play this year. We’re going to give him time, when it’s right for him physically, mentally and emotionally. But I can tell he’s doing really well,” he said.
The 49ers have not given an official timeline for his return, but the time frame he would be eligible to return in means it would come in Week 5 when the Niners host the Cardinals on Oct. 6.