Niners WR Ricky Pearsall will have surgery to repair the PCL in his right knee and will miss the season, the team announced Saturday.
What They're Saying: Insurance Plan Arrived This Week
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport: "The 49ers signed WR Deebo Samuel with the thought that this could be the outcome. Now, reality."
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Watch Samuel vs. Stribling
Yeah, the Samuel signing near-immediately after reports of Pearsall's knee swelling certainly didn't indicate a rosy outlook for the third-year receiver. Frankly, this is probably better news for Pearsall than if he tried to return, but we'll get to that more in the dynasty section.
For this year, Samuel looks like the lead candidate to start opposite Mike Evans in Week 1. That he chose the 49ers over the Colts (among other options) -- according to Rapoport -- likely points to promised opportunity.
Of course, he'll need to fend off rookie WR De'Zhaun Stribling, who has been enjoying a buzzy start to training camp.
Expect that trio to play together in three-WR sets, and perhaps TE George Kittle's recovery from a January Achilles' tear will boost the rate of those formations early this year.
Otherwise, we'll have to watch Samuel vs. Stribling -- both on the field and in ADP -- to see who makes the most sense for our fantasy football teams.
Stribling sat out Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness, according to the team. That's not immediately worrisome but will be worth tracking. Hamstring injuries rank among the highest for rate of recurrence.
We're drafting Samuel higher for now but like Stribling as well if his ADP stays in the late rounds.
Dynasty Impact: Repair a Good Thing
Here's where the knee surgery looks like good news ...
Trying to play through the PCL issue clearly didn't work for Pearsall either late last season or thus far this offseason. Getting it repaired gives him a restart for 2027, which will be the final year on his rookie contract. Because San Francisco drafted him in Round 1, the team will also need to decide next offseason on his fifth-year option for 2028.
Whether the 49ers exercise that option or not, Pearsall will face an important 2027. Whether he'll have room to win a starting shot will depend primarily on how Evans looks heading into what will be his age-34 campaign and how Stribling's rookie season goes.
Try to keep Pearsall stashed for now, if possible. He's not bound to draw much return in trade.
