Summary: Brock Purdy looked sharp in his 2025 preseason debut, guiding the 49ers on a productive opening drive, while Ricky Pearsall flashed as a reliable target and Brandon Aiyuk continued his return from a knee injury. San Francisco edged the Raiders 22-19 in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS — Brock Purdy’s Saturday warmup included more than a workout with Brandon Aiyuk, who is nearly nine months removed from tearing his ACL and MCL in the same knee. Aiyuk moved with confident quickness during the session, and Purdy noted afterward that the receiver “looks great physically” and clearly wants to be back on the field competing.
The reunion was a nod to a memorable moment in Raiders country. On New Year’s Day in 2023, Purdy — then thrust into action as a rookie starter — helped connect with Aiyuk multiple times, including a nine-completion effort that matched their combined total in Purdy’s first three starts. The two then combined to help push the 49ers to a 37-34 overtime win.
In the Saturday game, Purdy and several starters, including Pearsall, logged only the opening drive of San Francisco’s second preseason outing. Of Purdy’s seven attempts against Las Vegas, the first three went to Ricky Pearsall, who caught all three for 42 yards. The early connection underscored the growing chemistry the two have built in camp.
What they showed was a proof of concept more than a full sample. Purdy, who is making his 2025 preseason debut, relied on Pearsall while Aiyuk remains on the mend. Pearsall’s emergence is especially timely given Jauan Jennings’ calf injury and the possibility of a veteran addition to the wideout room.
Purdy and Pearsall haven’t had much time together since last season. Pearsall missed most OTAs and training camp due to injury, followed by a traumatic armed-robbery incident in August that sidelined him as he recovered from a gunshot wound. The two spent the offseason working out in Florida, focusing on building chemistry without Aiyuk and Jennings in practice.
“We’re just always talking,” Purdy said. “Ricky loves football, I love football, and when you’ve got two guys who are willing to put in the extra work and explain what we’re trying to get out of the plays, great things can happen.”
Purdy and Pearsall had a quick sequence to start the day’s action, moving the chains on Purdy’s first two completions. Then, on a 3rd-and-18, Purdy found Pearsall for 21 yards as Pearsall ran a dig route into the soft spot of the Raiders’ zone, keeping the drive alive.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan praised Pearsall’s route-running ability and noted that the two have spent considerable time refining timing and technique this year in camp: “Ricky’s a real good route runner, and sometimes he gets too focused on beating men, understanding that he’s got to do it in the time Brock’s looking at him. They’ve been working through that and getting really good at it.”
With Aiyuk and Jennings sidelined for now, Pearsall has stepped in as a primary option during Purdy’s early work. The 49ers have also been weighing the value of bringing in a veteran wideout to bolster the depth, a move that could shape Week 1 plans if Aiyuk isn’t ready. Pearsall’s early play has at least justified the $14.2 million market value some analysts have pegged to a player of his potential, should San Francisco decide to invest further in the position.
Shanahan hasn’t ruled out Jennings for Week 1. If Aiyuk isn’t back to full speed, a Pearsall-Jennings pairing, complemented by Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle, could help sustain San Francisco’s offense until the star wideout returns.
Purdy acknowledged the veteran experience the two receivers bring when they’re healthy, saying they’ll “pick up right where they left off” once they’re back on the field together.
Outlook: The 49ers are navigating the early minutes of the preseason with an eye toward roster building and contingency plans at wide receiver. Purdy’s early connection with Pearsall offers a hopeful sign for a young, developing group, especially as Aiyuk works his way back and Jennings contends with his own timetable. The next steps will determine how quickly San Francisco can deploy its full, potent passing attack once the season begins.