The past two years have tested Ricky Pearsall in ways few young players ever experience. The 25-year-old San Francisco 49ers wide receiver survived a gunshot to the chest, fought through a torn PCL, and still managed to show flashes of the receiver he can become.
Now, with the 2025 season over, he is on a beach somewhere tropical with his girlfriend, Tori Moraga, and it looks like exactly the break he needed.
Pearsallrecently posted videos showing himself and Moraga relaxing on a white sand beach, dancing and enjoying the ocean. Moraga, a former cheerleader with a degree in dance, moved comfortably alongside Pearsall.
The vacation comes after a challenging season. Pearsall played in nine games in 2025 and recorded 36 receptions for 528 yards on 53 targets. His average improved to 14.7 yards per catch, showing progress as a downfield receiver. However, injuries limited his season and kept him from scoring a touchdown.
NFL: Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) reacts after a catch against the Chicago Bears Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
His journey back to the field began after a life threatening incident on August 31, 2024. Pearsall was shot during an attempted robbery in Union Square in San Francisco. A 17 year old tried to steal his watch. During the struggle, the gun fired and the bullet hit Pearsall in the chest before exiting his back. He was taken to the hospital and survived.
Heartbreaking: 49ers star WR Ricky Pearsall got extremely emotional speaking about getting SHOT in an attempted robbery for his Rolex.
“Siri, call my dad or call my girlfriend. Daddy. Dad, I love you.”
Ricky believed that he was going to die 😔💔 pic.twitter.com/gCb8MC72GQ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 15, 2026
After recovering, Pearsall returned to football but faced more setbacks. In Week 4 of 2025, he injured his knee diving during a game against Jacksonville. The injury forced him to miss six games and affected his movement when he returned.
Despite setbacks, Pearsall recorded eight catches for 117 yards against Arizona in Week 3, a clear display of his ability when healthy.
Throughout the offseason, he has focused on rebuilding strength and protecting his body. Controlled training, swimming, and strength work have been central to his routine, and the tropical vacation offers a needed break to recover and reset for 2026.
What’s next for Ricky Pearsall heading into the 2026 season
Ricky Pearsall enters 2026 with his first full healthy offseason since the 31st overall pick in 2024. At 25, he benefits from a thinning 49ers receiver room. Brandon Aiyuk is expected to be released or traded after last season’s absence, and Jauan Jennings is a free agent unlikely to return at projected market rates near $20 million annually. That positions Pearsall as the top established outside option alongside veteran Demarcus Robinson and unproven depth.
Durability remains the main question. If Pearsall stays healthy, his 2025 performance shows he can be a reliable downfield threat in Kyle Shanahan’s system. A full offseason of training and spring reps could help him take on a larger role.
For now, Pearsall appears focused on recovery and preparation. His viral beach video showed a lighter moment, but it also highlighted something more important. After everything he endured, he is healthy and moving forward.