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 general choose with a recognized shoulder damage that has now turn out to be recognized publicly.
Veteran columnist, Michael Silver, went on KNBR radio in San Francisco letting the cat out of the bag concerning 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 stated.
If there may be purpose for the Niners to fret over Pearsall’s shoulder, this couldn’t come at a worse time because the workforce 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 workforce’s preseason video games.
Ought to the Pearsall damage be greater than meets the attention, which places Kyle Shanahan and common supervisor, John Lynch in a troublesome spot. Whereas the large wigs play hardball, they’ve a first-round receiver coping with what appears 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 choose on Pearsall. Many occasions, gamers will fall within the draft due to such accidents, so it’s secure to say Shanahan/Lynch should see one thing particular in him.
One factor that doubtless 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 workforce might have handed within the first and snagged Pearsall later if he’d nonetheless been accessible.
With the Niners ending the preseason in Las Vegas in opposition to the Raiders, they’ll have just a little 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 in opposition to a Jets protection that the majority suppose might be extremely good.