49ers' Brock Purdy reconnects with Brandon Aiyuk, relies on Ricky Pearsall in Las Vegas

San Francisco Chronicle​

a day ago

LAS VEGAS — More than an hour before kickoff, Brock Purdy threw to Brandon Aiyuk again. It was more than playing catch in the backyard.
Aiyuk, nearly nine months removed from tearing his ACL and MCL in the same knee, moved in and out of cuts at a speed that almost seemed normal for the San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver.
'Obviously he looks great physically, progressing in the right way with his knee,' Purdy said postgame, 'but more than anything, man, you can tell he wants to get back out there and compete, which I love.'
It appeared as if he was a step or two away from the Aiyuk of old that helped a rookie Purdy navigate Sin City.
Allegiant Stadium was ground zero for what became a budding partnership between the two. A New Year's Day game set the stage for Purdy — recently thrust into a starting role from third string — to connect with Aiyuk on nine completions, matching their combined total across Purdy's first three career starts. Together, they eclipsed the century mark for the first time and led the 49ers to a thrilling 37-34 overtime win in Raiders country.
'The history that we've had on the field together has been awesome,' Purdy said.
'Whenever he's able to get back out there, we'll be ready to roll.'
Saturday's nostalgia spanned only a few completions during warmups. Aiyuk is still months from making a full return. Purdy still fared more than fine in his 2025 debut. Ricky Pearsall kept the WR1 spot warm.
Purdy and several starters, Pearsall included, played only the opening drive of the 49ers' second preseason game. Of seven passes Purdy attempted against the Raiders, the first three went to Pearsall, who caught each one for a total of 42 yards. Fans had heard of the promising Purdy-Pearsall connection all training camp.
What they showed in almost six minutes of game action was proof of concept.
Purdy and Pearsall didn't have much time to get on the same page last season. Pearsall missed most of OTAs and training camp due to injury, before a traumatic armed robbery incident in late August left the 2024 first-round pick to nurse a gunshot wound. Purdy recently said syncing with Pearsall upon his return to football was at first a struggle.
They worked out together down in Florida during the offseason, and camp has largely allowed Purdy and Pearsall to focus on their chemistry sans Aiyuk and veteran Jauan Jennings, who has not practiced since late July with a calf injury (and a pending extension request).
'Ricky's a real good route runner, sometimes he gets too concerned with beating the guy, understanding that he's got to do it in the time of when Brock's looking at him,' 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said. 'That's something those guys have really been working through and getting really good at.'
Purdy found Pearsall on the game's first two plays from scrimmage to move the sticks. Then, on a third-and-18, Purdy went back to the well: a 21-yard strike to Pearsall, who ran a dig into the soft spot of the Raiders' zone defense to preserve the drive.
'We're just always talking, man,' Purdy said. 'He loves football, I love football, and so when you got two guys that are willing to put in the extra work and explain what we're trying to get out of the plays and reps, I think great things can happen from that.
'We honed in on some things this year in camp.'
It's not ideal to be without Aiyuk or Jennings, whose timetable to return remains unclear after his near-1,000-yard breakthrough a season ago. Much has been said about the potential acquisition of a veteran wideout to fill the void. At least for now, early returns suggest Pearsall may have the upside to justify pocketing the $14.2 million market value of Amari Cooper (per Spotrac) for a rainier day.
Shanahan hasn't ruled out Jennings for Week 1. Perhaps a Pearsall-Jennings duo, plus a healthy Christian McCaffrey and smelling-salted George Kittle, could hold over the 49ers until Aiyuk is ready.
Any rust accrued in the time since Purdy last targeted Aiyuk and Jennings does not worry the $265 million face of the franchise. They've been there, done that.
'They have so much experience, that when they do get on the field, they'll pick up right where they left off,' Purdy said.
'I always see JJ in the locker room, and we talk about practice, just what he's seeing. Same thing with Aiyuk. … They care, obviously, and they're continuing to grow mentally and stay on top of their game.'