Sixteen days until the San Francisco 49ers' season opener, their wide receiver room remains unsettled.
Brandon Aiyuk has been a hold-in for weeks amid a contract dispute and trade request. Meanwhile, Ricky Pearsall, their first-round pick out of Florida, has been sidelined by a shoulder injury.
Following Friday's preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders, coach Kyle Shanahan shed some light on Pearsall's injury and why it's unclear whether the rookie will be ready for Week 1.
Shanahan told reporters that Pearsall is dealing with a subluxation, or partial dislocation, of his shoulder, an injury that stems from his time in college. He started camp on the non-football injury list and practiced just one week before being sidelined again. Pearsall was held out of the 49ers' three preseason games and now may miss regular-season time.
"I hope so," Shanahan said when asked if Pearsall will be ready for Week 1. "We'll see how he is this week. Hoping he gets into practice this week, and if he does, that's a pretty good sign that he could be available for then."
Shanahan added Pearsall's shoulder was "tender" after aggravating the injury, and he wanted to give the rookie "time to come back from it."
Pearsall, 23, was taken with the 31st overall selection of the 2024 NFL Draft, the first Niners receiver selected in the first round since Aiyuk in 2020. In five years at Arizona State and Florida, Pearsall tallied 2,420 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on 159 grabs. He also served as the Gators' top punt returner last season.
The defending NFC champions are not wanting for offensive talent, but they are entering a Week 1 contest against Aaron Rodgers and one of the league's best defenses in the New York Jets with more questions on that side of the ball than answers.
Christian McCaffrey has been sidelined by a calf injury. Trent Williams has been a holdout all camp. Aiyuk isn't practicing and may not be on the roster by the end of next week. Now, Pearsall's status for the start of the year is up in the air.
Of course, the likes of Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Jauan Jennings and Kyle Juszczyk remain as healthy weapons in Brock Purdy's arsenal, but San Francisco's offense could get off to a slower than usual start without all of its expected stars, Pearsall included, in tow.
