The San Francisco 49ers will begin training camp with two of their top receivers on the sideline. The team announced on Friday that WRs Ricky Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk have been placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list.
Pearsall, 24, suffered a hamstring injury earlier this offseason in May that the 49ers defined as “minor.” The expectation was that he would be ready for training camp.
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Aiyuk going on the PUP list is not a surprise while he recovers from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee sustained during Week 7’s 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Last season, Pearsall caught 31 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games (four starts). He was expected to take on a larger role in the offense with Deebo Samuel traded to the Washington Commanders and Aiyuk working his way back.
Pearsall made his NFL debut in Week 7 last season after recovering from a chest injury suffered from a gunshot wound. He also missed time during training camp last year due to hamstring and shoulder injuries.
The primary beneficiary of Pearsall’s injury may be Jauan Jennings, the fifth-year receiver who’s seeking a new contract from the 49ers. If Jennings doesn’t get a new deal, he wants to be traded. With its receiveing corps healthy, San Francisco may have been in a decent position against that ultimatum. But with Pearsall and Aiyuk out, Jennings has some strong leverage.
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Jennings was the 49ers’ second-leading receiver last season with 77 catches for 975 yards and six touchdowns. He is in the final year of his contract, set to make $7.5 million, according to Over The Cap.
Joining Pearsall and Aiyuk on the Active/PUP list are offensive lineman Andre Dillard, defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos, safety Malik Mustapha and linebacker Curtis Robinson. Offensive lineman Ben Bartch and safety George Odum were placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury list.
Players on the Active/PUP list can be activated during training camp. But it’s an indication that they won’t be ready to go as drills and workouts begin. Those who remain injured and are transferred to the Reserve/PUP list when rosters are trimmed to 53 players must sit out for a minimum of four games when the regular season begins.
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Veterans open training camp on Tuesday. The 49ers open the preseason on Aug. 9 against the Denver Broncos.
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