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San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan praised rookie Ricky Pearsall as a “miracle” for his quick recovery following a shooting incident during an attempted robbery. Shanahan, speaking to the media for the first time since the event, described Pearsall as remarkably resilient, highlighting his toughness observed not only on the field but also in how he has coped since the shooting.
The 23-year-old was seen at a team practice on Thursday, albeit in street clothes, observing the drills from the sidelines as his team gears up for their Monday night game against the New York Jets.
Pearsall was shot in the chest last Saturday near Union Square in San Francisco, as stated by the 49ers. He was discharged from the hospital the following day and is expected to fully recover. Following this incident, the NFL placed him on the reserve/non-football injury list, sidelining him for a minimum of four games, reports ESPN.
Shanahan mentioned the team is providing Pearsall with the necessary personal space to heal both physically and mentally, although the player himself is keen on returning to action soon. The coach shared that Pearsall is focusing on his mental recovery, jokingly noting that Pearsall felt he could even participate in the upcoming Jets game.
As for his physical recovery, Shanahan noted Pearsall plans to avoid intense activities for about a week before beginning his rehabilitation process.
In connection with the shooting, a 17-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged with attempted murder among other charges. The teen appeared in court at the Youth Guidance Center in San Francisco, with his attorney expressing the family’s deep remorse for the incident.
The possibility of trying the teenager as an adult is still being considered by the district attorney’s office, while his defense is advocating for him to be treated as a juvenile due to his age.