In a wide receiver room filled with question marks, former first-round pick Ricky Pearsall has begun to cement himself as a reliable option for the San Francisco 49ers.

"I just felt like I was behind the eight ball," Pearsall said when speaking with reporters. "I like to say that I rolled out of bed and started running routes because I damn near did. You can't really rehab a gunshot wound.

Pearsall's late-season surge provided a rare bright spot at the end of a disappointing six-win season for the 49ers. His role is much more important in 2025 with Deebo Samuel having been traded to Washington in the offseason and Brandon Aiyuk expected to miss the start of the season recovering from knee surgery.