The 49ers rookie was shot in the chest on Saturday afternoon in central San Francisco.
Pearsall had been signing autographs for fans at an event center in the city before walking to nearby Union Square.
A physical altercation occurred between the first-round pick and a 17-year-old suspect after the attempted robbery of Pearsall’s watch, per the San Francisco Police Department,
Pearsall and the suspect were taken to San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.
The ex-Florida Gators wideout was initially listed as in a “serious but stable condition.”
He was upgraded to a “fair condition” on Sunday before being released later that day, per ESPN.
The 17-year-old male from Tracy, California, was arrested Saturday, according to San Francisco Police Chief William Scott.
“A struggle between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect ensued and gunfire from the suspect’s gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject,” Scott said during a news briefing.
He added there was “no indication” Pearsall was targeted due to being an NFL player.
Pearsall’s mom, Erin, broke her silence with a social media post on Sunday.
She revealed her son had been “extremely lucky” to walk away from the incident, with the gunshot “missing his vital organs.”
“First and far most I want to thank GOD for protecting my baby boy,” Erin wrote on Facebook, via The Daily Mail.
“He is extremely lucky, GOD shielded him.
“He was shot in the chest and it exited out his back. Thanks be to GOD it missed his vital organs.
“He is in good spirits right now. Life is so precious my friends.
“Please love each other. My son was spared today by the grace of GOD. Please pray for my baby.”
Pearsall grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, and was rated as a three-star recruit out of high school.
The wide receiver initially played college football for Arizona State, before transferring to Florida in 2022.
He started 23 games over the next two seasons for the Gators, racking up a career-high 965 receiving yards in 2023.
The Niners selected Pearsall as the No. 31 pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
He penned a four-year rookie deal with the organization before being placed on the team’s NFL list in July.
The 49ers begin their 2024 season on Monday, September 9 against the New York Jets.
