San Francisco 49ers fans have to be wondering what it was like to have wide receiver Ricky Pearsall on the field.
Seriously, it seems like that long ago for many to have forgotten, particularly amid a campaign in which the Niners have been absolutely throttled by serious injuries.
Pearsall's own knee injury took place during the Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the second-year pro hasn't been able to take the field since, missing another four games in the process while San Francisco's offense has struggled to account for his absence.
When asked about Pearsall's recovery and chances of getting back on the field, both general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have routinely responded with reiterations of "close but not yet."
With the 49ers aiming to bounce back after an embarrassing loss to the Houston Texans in Week 8, it doesn't appear as if Pearsall's return is imminent.
John Lynch pours cold water on hopes Ricky Pearsall returns soon
Speaking during his weekly appearance on KNBR 680's Murph & Markus Show, Lynch didn't exactly change his tune on the 2024 first-round draft pick coming back from the PCL injury that's dogged him ever since Week 4.
"What I can tell you is those PCL injuries can be very stubborn," Lynch said of Pearsall's injury.
A Ricky Pearsall update from John Lynch:
— KNBR (@KNBR) October 30, 2025
"What I can tell you is those PCL injuries can be very stubborn... They can linger a little. Ricky's doing his best to get back, he's making steady progress. Receiver's a position you better be at full speed. There's been some positive… pic.twitter.com/h2o5DoTDV2
And there doesn't appear to be a lot of enthusiasm about the wide receiver working his way back into the lineup this week ahead of the New York Giants game.
"The [injury] can linger a little," Lynch added. "Ricky's doing his best to get back, he's making steady progress. Receiver's a position you better be at full speed. There's been some positive progress but he's not there yet."
Lynch's tune is no different than where it was a week before, which culminated in Pearsall missing his fourth game of the season.
Judging by the general manager's most recent comments, all signs seem to point to the wide receiver missing his fifth when the Niners visit New York in Week 9