**Rookie Ricky Pearsall to Make NFL Debut Seven Weeks After Gunshot Incident**

San Francisco 49ers' rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall is ready to step onto the NFL stage, just seven weeks after enduring a gunshot wound to the chest. Head coach Kyle Shanahan announced Pearsall will be fully active for the highly anticipated Week 7 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, marking his official debut.

Pearsall's activation was confirmed on Saturday, following his removal from the reserve/non-football injury list. Shanahan expressed his excitement for Pearsall's return, noting the rookie’s impressive effort to catch up with the rest of the team. “He's had a hell of a week and we're pumped to get him in there," Shanahan said, according to The San Francisco Standard's David Lombardi.

The 24-year-old receiver was injured during an attempted robbery at San Francisco's Union Square on August 31, where the assailant attempted to steal Pearsall's Rolex watch. Remarkably, despite the seriousness of the incident, Pearsall’s mother revealed that the bullet did not damage any vital organs, and he was discharged from the hospital the following day.

Pearsall's return is timely for the 49ers, especially with fellow receiver Jauan Jennings sidelined due to a hip injury. General Manager John Lynch noted earlier this week that Pearsall’s performance in practice has been promising. This follows a preseason plagued by hamstring and shoulder injuries, which had initially hindered his participation in training camp.

On Thursday, the team’s quarterback, Brock Purdy, commended Pearsall's impressive form at practice, highlighting his ability to excel against man-to-man defenses. "When you've got a guy like Ricky that can win man-to-man matchups and then also open up some other guys too, that's always a good thing,” Purdy stated.

Selected as San Francisco's first-round pick (No. 31 overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Florida, Pearsall was the sixth receiver chosen in the initial round. His college career saw him catch 65 passes for 965 yards and four touchdowns during his senior year, setting high expectations for his professional debut.

With the stage set for a significant game against the Chiefs, all eyes will be on Pearsall to see if he can translate his college success to the NFL and help the 49ers in this pivotal Super Bowl rematch.