Ricky Pearsall returns to San Francisco 49ers practice for the first time since his shooting

Santa Clara, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall returned to the field for practice Monday for the first time since he was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery nine days before the season opener.

The 49ers opened the door for Pearsall to practice with the team while he remains on the non-football injured list. The team has three weeks to decide when to activate him, and coach Kyle Shanahan said last week there is no timetable for when Pearsall will be ready to play in games.

“I saw him warming up and started smiling because I know how important he can be to the team,” rookie guard Dominick Puni said. “But more importantly for his health and everything else, it was great to see him out there after everything he’s been through.”

Pearsall’s presence alone was a boost for the 49ers after what transpired on August 31st. Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery in San Francisco’s Union Square district and was hospitalized overnight. He avoided damage to organs and nerves and trained again at the team facility the following week.

During the brief session open to the media, Pearsall could be seen dancing around the pitch, breaking up the team huddle before and after the session.

Fellow rookie receiver Jacob Cowing said he could tell he had the “it factor” from his first meeting with Pearsall in January while preparing for the combine and that it has only increased in recent months.

“All the adversity that has come his way over the last few months just so he can overcome everything against him, fight, struggle and get back into shape,” Cowing said. “It’s a great feeling for everyone to see him put the helmet back on, put the jersey back on and then go out and be part of this team, go out and have fun.”

Pearsall, drafted in the first round in April, missed most of training camp due to hamstring and shoulder injuries but was on track to be ready for the opener before shooting.

He began his college career at Arizona State and transferred to Florida for his final two seasons. He had 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Gators and finished his college career with 159 catches for 2,420 yards and 14 touchdowns.

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