Ricky Pearsall missed Wednesday’s 49ers training camp practice because of a knee flare-up, a fresh camp setback on Day 3 that kept one receiver on the sideline while the 49ers sorted through a few early answers and a few more questions.
The timing matters because the same camp update also points to what could happen if George Kittle is not ready early in the season. Jake Tonges caught a pair of passes from Jones on Wednesday, and he could be pressed into a bigger role if Kittle’s status remains uncertain. That is why Pearsall’s absence lands alongside the other training camp notes now, with Deebo searches rising around a roster that is still taking shape.
There is no public detail yet on how serious Pearsall’s knee issue is, and that is the part that matters most. A flare-up can mean a short break or something more stubborn, but Wednesday’s update did not say whether he will miss more practice time. For a player trying to hold a place in the rotation, even a one-day absence can matter if camp reps start to get split elsewhere.
At the same time, Kyle Shanahan is still working through the aftereffects of a concussion, though he said he is feeling better. He described his headaches on a 1-to-6 scale and said that when the pain is a 2, doctors want him to do something that brings it up to a 4 before backing off and letting it settle. On Monday, he said, he was able to watch all the film and felt like he never reached a 4. That was encouraging, but it was not the same as being fully clear of the problem; he said the headaches and fatigue are still there, even if the worst of it has eased.
The 49ers have already put Shanahan’s team meetings on ice for now rather than try to recreate them in a half-step version, which shows how carefully they are handling the situation. Klay Kubiak has taken over the walkie talkie that goes to Brock Purdy’s helmet during camp, and Christian McCaffrey’s own off-field work to stay sharp past 30 speaks to a roster trying to squeeze every edge it can. For now, Pearsall’s knee and Shanahan’s recovery remain the two immediate camp stories that could shape the next few days more than any practice drill will.
