Ricky Pearsall among 3 key 49ers set to miss camp time
Ricky Pearsall is out of San Francisco 49ers training camp with knee swelling tied to last season's PCL injury, while running back Jordan James (fractured rib) and safety Malik Mustapha (hamstring strain) will also miss practice time. The team is exploring all options for Pearsall, including possible surgery.
Key Takeaways
- Ricky Pearsall is sidelined by knee swelling linked to his 2025 PCL injury, with surgery among options under review.
- Jordan James fractured a rib in Monday's practice and is expected to miss time in the RB2 battle.
- Malik Mustapha has a hamstring strain and will skip Wednesday's session; severity remains unclear.
- The setbacks echo San Francisco's injury-heavy 2025 season as camp opens for 2026.
What happened to Ricky Pearsall in 49ers camp?
Before Wednesday's training camp session, ESPN's Nick Wagoner reported that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will not practice due to knee swelling related to the PCL injury that cost him significant time in 2025. The 49ers say they are exploring "all options," and Noah Furtado of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that surgery remains a possibility.
Pearsall, selected No. 31 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, has missed 14 games across his first two seasons. San Francisco had hoped for a healthy stretch so he could start opposite veteran Mike Evans in 2026. Instead, he has been limited after only a couple of early camp practices, according to reporting from Sports Illustrated.
Which other key 49ers will miss time in camp?
Jordan James suffered a rib fracture during Monday's practice and is expected to miss time. The 22-year-old was competing with 2025 draft pick Kaelon Black to be Christian McCaffrey's top backup. With James sidelined, Black is next up, with Patrick Taylor Jr. and Sincere McCormick also available.
Safety Malik Mustapha sustained a hamstring strain in Monday's practice and will not participate Wednesday. How long he is out is still uncertain. For context, George Kittle missed five weeks with a hamstring last year—illustrating how these strains can vary widely.
Why does this injury cluster matter for the 49ers?
San Francisco already battled constant injuries through the 2025 campaign, sometimes struggling to keep enough healthy players available. Early camp setbacks for a projected starting receiver, a backup running back contender, and a safety fighting for a starting role raise familiar depth questions heading into the 2026 season.
Mustapha's absence could also tilt the safety competition toward Marques Sigle if the hamstring issue lingers. On offense, any extended absence for Ricky Pearsall would pressure the receiving corps while the club continues to evaluate treatment paths.
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Camp is still young, and timelines for Ricky Pearsall, James, and Mustapha will become clearer as the 49ers monitor each recovery. Until then, the headline is clear: three important pieces are already dealing with setbacks, and Pearsall's knee remains the biggest concern.