Is Ricky Pearsall playing today vs. Raiders? Latest injury news for 49ers rookie

The 49ers' top pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, Ricky Pearsall, has been dealing with a shoulder issue for much of the offseason.

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, the team's top selection from the 2024 NFL Draft, has been beset with a shoulder injury that has plagued him on and off for nearly the entire offseason.

Already having missed much of training camp with the issue, the first-round pick also missed the Niners' first two preseason games, watching instead as fourth-round draftee wideout Jacob Cowing put on something of a show during the second week of exhibition games against the New Orleans Saints.

Now, with one preseason week remaining and San Francisco visiting the Las Vegas Raiders for a final tune-up prior to roster cuts and the regular season, the question is whether or not Pearsall will get a chance to take the field in a 49ers uniform against opposition for the first time in his pro career.

The outlook isn't good, unfortunately.

Ricky Pearsall likely won't play in 49ers' preseason finale vs. Raiders

Teams aren't required to post injury reports in advance of exhibition games, meaning there's no official means to determine whether or not an injured player will play unless he's on an official injury list.

That means we have to take head coach Kyle Shanahan's recent comments on the matter as the biggest piece of evidence.

Pearsall is active and not on an injury list, but Shanahan told reporters the rookie wouldn't partake in practices leading up to Friday night's game.

"Not this week," Shanahan responded when asked if Pearsall would practice in the week leading up to the game, seemingly indicating Friday's contest would be out of the question, too.

Now, the bigger question becomes whether or not Pearsall will make much of an impact in year one, especially after having missed the bulk of traininig camp and likely all of the preseason.

Appearing on KNBR 680 (h/t Rob Guerrera), the San Francisco Chronicle's Mike Silver elaborated by saying:

"Pearsall...has a shoulder thing that is now recurring and I think worrying over the long haul, something they knew about before they drafted him and were hoping wouldn't be a thing..."

That's the large-scale problem, one magnified by fellow wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's ongoing contract-extension drama. With Pearsall sidelined, the desperation to resolve Aiyuk's own situation only increases.

Meanwhile, fans hoping to watch Pearsall showcase his skill set on the field might have to wait until the regular season.

Because it doesn't appear as if he'll be out there when the Niners square off against Vegas on Friday, Aug. 23 at 10 p.m. ET from Allegiant Stadium.

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