49ers open practice window for Pearsall, not McCaffrey

The San Francisco 49ers’ health is trending upward.

The practice window opens for rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed this via conference call on Friday. He will join the 49ers on Monday as they prepare for their Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Pearsall is not the only player whose training window has been allowed to open. Star running back Christian McCaffrey can also join him. After receiving special treatment during his visit to Germany, he began to increase his workload. Unfortunately, McCaffrey’s debut will have to wait.

“No. He continues to improve, but we won’t be opening it this week,” Shanahan said. “Ricky, we plan to open this week.”

Shanahan was asked a follow-up question about whether Pearsall can be active when the 49ers play the Chiefs.

“Most likely I would assume the training period would take longer, but as far as his health and everything else, he is completely ready to go. But I really won’t decide that until we start watching him train. We’re not going to rush it or anything. When he’s ready, he’s ready. And if not, we have a few weeks.”

It would be a big jump for Pearsall to return to action after a week of training, especially against an elite opponent. The wise decision would be to reintegrate him slowly so that he doesn’t become overwhelmed and overworked. Remember that before his unfortunate incident in early September, Pearsall was struggling with hamstring and shoulder problems.

The last thing the 49ers want is to get him up to speed quickly and put him at risk for injury. There is no reason to push him back. Pearsall is not a player they desperately need at the moment. Let him continue to take it easy and make his debut after the bye week. The same goes for McCaffrey, who the 49ers are managing properly. He should not return before saying goodbye.

Still, these are all positive signs that the 49ers are on the right track health-wise.

Download and follow the Best 49ers Podcast.