Should I drop Ricky Pearsall? Week 6 Fantasy projection for 49ers WR

Managers who picked up and played Ricky Pearsall had plenty of reason to pat themselves on the back in September. However, October has been a different story thus far. The tide might be changing against the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, but then again, it might not be.

Here's a look at what's going on with the 49ers offense, starting with Pearsall, and a conclusion on what you should do with the wide receiver.

Should I drop Ricky Pearsall for Week 6 Fantasy Football?

Ricky Pearsall at Jacksonville Jaguars v San Francisco 49ers - Source: Getty

Ricky Pearsall's most recent game was on Sept. 28. Since then, he has dealt with a knee injury. Pearsall didn't practice on Wednesday, per Cam Inman of The San Mercury News via ESPN, placing his ability to play in Week 6 in doubt. Put simply, you shouldn't start the wide receiver until he's shown that he will start without a doubt.

You should keep him on IR or at least on your bench. At this point, unless you are out of options, you shouldn't drop the receiver. Pearsall has earned triple-digit yards in two of his four games this season, making an aggressive move potentially one that could potentially cost you games.

A bit of patience could go a long way.

Ricky Pearsall fantasy outlook for rest of 2025 season

While Ricky Pearsall had a great September, there are still two-thirds of the season remaining. Pearsall hasn't been placed on IR by the San Francisco 49ers, which means they are confident he will return at some point in the near future.

Of course, the receiver himself is only part of the story. The team's offense is facing several injuries that could impact Pearsall's ceiling. The 49ers are currently dealing with injuries to Brock Purdy, Mac Jones, Jauan Jennings, Pearsall, and George Kittle.

At some point, seemingly most of those players will be back, taking a bite out of Pearsall's target share. However, until they return, it's wise to look at Pearsall as a high-end backup at the top of your bench who could fill in as a flex or a receiver in a pinch.

That said, if you desperately need someone, you might not be able to weather the storm. Trading Pearsall makes sense in that scenario, as there's still some upside there.

The final thing to consider is the upcoming schedule, and the 49ers are set to face some tough defenses over the next three weeks. The 49ers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, and Houston Texans.

The last two of those games make Pearsall bench-worthy, giving another reason to trade him. However, if you can weather the storm, you will be rewarded with matchups against the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams in back-to-back weeks.