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 total decide with a identified shoulder damage 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 in regards to the damage.
“Pearsall…has a shoulder factor that’s now recurring and I feel 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 cause 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 might 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 damage be greater than meets the attention, which places Kyle Shanahan and basic supervisor, John Lynch in a tricky spot. Whereas the large wigs play hardball, they’ve a first-round receiver coping with what feels like a lingering shoulder “factor” and one other that would 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 damage 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 probably labored in Pearsall’s favor is that the damage is of the higher physique selection. Had he been affected by a decrease extremity damage heading into the draft, the group might have handed within the first and snagged Pearsall later if he’d nonetheless been obtainable.
With the Niners ending the preseason in Las Vegas towards the Raiders, they’ll have a little bit over two weeks to determine issues out earlier than the season opener with the New York Jets. The 49ers could possibly be down two receiving threats for Brock Purdy towards a Jets protection that almost all assume will likely be extremely good.
