SANTA CLARA — The 49ers’ rookie class is turning heads and the leader of the pack won’t hit the practice field until this week.
Ricky Pearsall Jr. could practice as soon as Monday, with coach Kyle Shanahan saying the wide receiver’s 21-day window will open and his addition to the 53-man roster will come at some point in the next three weeks.
Then Pearsall can join the party that helped the 49ers to a 36-24 win over the Seahawks Thursday night to even their record at 3-3. The 49ers have begun preparations to face the Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
Defensive end Nick Bosa, who participated in the team’s offseason program for the first time this summer, had good feelings based on the rookie class.
“For sure, right away in the preseason,” Bosa said Thursday night when asked if he was impressed. “They were popping. Obviously it’s a different deal when you’re playing real games, and they showed up tonight.”
Included in the win over Seattle:
— The first two interceptions from members of the 49ers secondary this season from fourth-round pick Malik Mustapha in the first quarter and cornerback Renardo Green in the fourth quarter.
— Another complete game effort from right guard Dominick Puni, who seized the starting job upon arrival and hasn’t been challenged since.
— A 99-yard, eight-carry game from third-round pick Isaac Guerendo, including a 76-yard run where he either slid intentionally to keep the clock running or was tripped from behind by Devon Weatherspoon.
— A recovery of a fumble off a 49ers punt recovered by seventh-round pick Tatum Bethune.
Jacob Cowing, a fourth-round pick, returning to action with a shoulder injury and had two punt returns for 11 yards and a fair catch.
“These are all moments that we talked about, prayed about, dreamed about,” Mustapha told reporters afterward. “For that to come to reality today is a blessing. We have good guys here, guys who want to work.”
Green, the 64th overall pick out of Florida State, didn’t start but played 71 of 78 snaps with Charvarius Ward out with a knee injury.
“I played against Isaac and Malik in college, so I knew what they were about coming into camp,” Green said. “We just honed in on tryouts and worked. We got a chance to see what everyone was made of and kept progressing, taking steps to get better every day. It’s no shock to me that guys do this. We practice the way we play. We’re very big on that.”
Linebacker Fred Warner, once upon a time a rookie starter playing inside linebacker for the first time, has a good understanding of the degree of difficulty.
“To have our young guys, rookies, come in and make those kinds of plays to help us win, that’s so big,” Warner said. “I’m so happy for them, happy for our team, finding a way to win. It was great seeing them do that.”
Left tackle Trent Williams missed all of camp with a contract issue but has marveled at the polish shown by Puni, who played all across the line at college but almost never at right guard.
“He literally has the makings of a Pro Bowl, All-Pro player at that position,” Williams said. “He’s a godsend, man, a really, really good kid. Really professional. He gained his teammates’ respect just by the way he carries himself.”
Guerendo, who started only once in college but had good production as a power/speed back, delivered not only production but comic relief on his big run against Seattle.
“I had to give away my first touchdown, but it was a team decision,” said Guerendo, who said he heard teammates telling him to “get down” as he sped along the sideline.
Not everyone was buying it, including Shanahan.
“Hell no, we want him to score,” Shanahan said. “I don’t think he slid. That’s what he’s claiming.”
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk finished off the last drive with a 6-yard touchdown run as the beneficiary of Guerendo’s dash.
“I don’t care if he was trying to go down or if he got caught, I got in there, so I appreciate him,” Juszczyk.
Regarding the rookie class as a whole, Juszczyk said, “So impressive. Mature beyond their years. Big game for the whole class with Renardo coming up big, Malik, I.G. Puni’s been there all year. Young guys that we can count on.”
As for Pearsall, who miraculously escaped a gunshot wound to the chest on Aug. 31 without serious injury, Shanahan was non-committal about when he would join the 53-man roster. When ready, however, he’s expected to see the field ahead as another option at wide receiver to go along with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings.
Rookie rundown
A look at how the 49ers’ 2024 rookie class is faring through six games . . .
Round 1/Pick 31 WR Ricky Pearsall Jr., Florida: Slowed by a shoulder injury during camp, that’s now apparently healed, as has his gunshot wound, and he’ll be at practice this week.
2/64 CB Renardo Green, Florida State: Has played in six games with one interception and 10 tackles. Of his 104 total snaps, 71 of them came against Seattle and he could end up splitting time with Isaac Yiadom when Charvarius Ward returns from injury.
3/86 RG Dominick Puni, Kansas: The 49ers have played 404 offensive snaps and Puni has played every one of them. Drawing raves from teammates and analytics services alike for his play. Has just one penalty, getting downfield too soon against the Rams.
4/124 SS Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest: A big hitter who’s also shown some ability along the deep secondary, as evidenced by his interception of Geno Smith against Seattle. Played in six games with two starts. Has 13 tackles, one for loss and 61 special teams snaps.
4/129 RB Isaac Guerendo, Louisville: Within moments of the start of training camp, had a hamstring strain that cost him a lot of time. He made up for it quick. Has 22 carries for 140 yards in 45 offensive snaps backing up Jordan Mason and 60 special teams snaps including a fumbled kickoff return. Role could increase if Mason is out with a shoulder sprain.
4/135 WR Jacob Cowing, Arizona: Likely to be pushed farther down the depth chart at wide receiver, where he has just five snaps in five games. Has eight punt returns for a 5.4 average.
6/215 G Jarrett Kingston, USC: The lone draft pick not to make the roster, Kingston was claimed by Carolina after being waived. He has yet to be active in six games.
7/251 LB Tatum Bethune, Florida State: When Warner had an ankle issue and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles a calf strain, Bethune was floated as a potential starter in the middle. He’s played four snaps on defense, but 76 in five games on special teams, including the fumble recovery against Seattle.
Note: Undrafted free agent defensive tackle Evan Anderson from Florida Atlantic has twice been a practice squad promotion and has four tackles and a sack.
