Why Ricky Pearsall’s surge to end 2024 NFL season excites 49ers OC Klay Kubiak

SANTA CLARA — The numbers do not lie.Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall ended last season on a statistical high note. And that was no coincidence, 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said on Tuesday.“I just think the more Ricky’s out there, the more you see him with his route-running, how more polished it can become,” Kubiak said. “As the year went on last year, he just got so much better against man-to-man coverage. The more man coverage you see, the more physical DB play you see, Ricky gets better.”Pearsall sat out the first six games of his rookie season as he recovered from a gunshot wound to his chest. He peaked at the end of the season with an eight-catch, 141-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions. He followed that up in the final game of the season with six catches for 69 yards and a touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals.“That excites me a lot,” Kubiak said. “He’s a guy who’s going to rise to the occasion with more physical defensive back play. He’s got to be out there. He’s got to be...