‘You Can’t Count on Ricky Pearsall’ — Former Pro Bowler Loses Faith, Pushes 49ers To Bust Out Deebo Samuel Insurance Policy

It’s training camp season, and Deebo Samuel is still pondering his options (or lack thereof) this NFL season.

Samuel, one of the more high-profile free agents on the market, has long been linked with a return to his old team, the San Francisco 49ers, and the speculation only ramped up after Ricky Pearsall’s training camp was interrupted by a flare-up of his posterior cruciate ligament on Wednesday.

Analyst Makes Deebo Samuel Declaration After Ricky Pearsall’s Injury

During Wednesday’s segment of the “Speakeasy” podcast, former Pro Bowler T. J. Houshmandzadeh called on the 49ers to re-sign Samuel, while also reserving a few choice words of caution when it comes to Pearsall.

“Samuel should be on his way. I said this last week,” T. J. Houshmandzadeh said.

“I can’t count on Ricky Pearsall, that’s what I said. I can count on, and I know I can rely on Deebo Samuel. And then this comes out. When you’re a receiver and you start having these lower body injuries this early in training camp, first, second day, we’re gonna have to monitor this the rest of the season.

“Now we’re getting it drained. Now we’re giving you days off. You’re young! You shouldn’t be taking days off. We need to see you every day so you can show us that you can do this. That we can trust what you can bring to the table, to the team.

REDRAFT THE ENTIRE NFL:PFN’s FREE NFL Ultimate Redraft Simulator

“You’re not even available. So now let me go get somebody that I know can get it done. So Deebo, man, get ready to go back to the Bay. At least, that’s what should happen. They need him, they need somebody that’s proven.”

Pearsall sustained the PCL injury in a Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, forcing him to miss the next six games. After playing in four consecutive games, the wide receiver missed the 49ers’ game against the Indianapolis Colts with a knee and ankle niggle. He missed a further two games and finished the season with 528 receiving yards on 36 catches.

On the other hand, Samuel had the best season of his career in San Francisco in 2021 when he registered 1,405 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 77 catches, adding 365 rushing yards on 59 carries, resulting in eight scores. He also threw for a touchdown in 2021, earning a Pro Bowl nod and a First-team All-Pro selection.

Last season, Samuel tallied 727 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 72 receptions for the Washington Commanders, earning a PFN Wide Receiver Impact score of 77.0, ranking No. 26 in the NFL.

The 49ers, meanwhile, improved their wide receiver room by signing Christian Kirk and Mike Evans and drafting De’Zhaun Stribling No. 33 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Kirk, however, is dealing with a calf injury and sat out training.