Ricky Pearsall returns to practice: Fantasy outlook for 49ers offense

The San Francisco 49ers got two pieces of news on Wednesday that were weeks in the making. Brock Purdy is back at practice and is hopeful to return in Week 11.

But the more fascinating piece of news came from Matt Barrows of The Athletic on Ricky Pearsall. The first-round WR is returning to practice for the first time since his Week 4 knee injury.

Now that Pearsall's return is closer than ever, the fantasy outlook for the 49ers' offense is about to undergo a major change.

How the 49ers offense changes for fantasy managers amid Ricky Pearsall's return

Pearsall is back at practice, and if he were to return in Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals, the 49ers offense at the start of the season would be back together.

Both Purdy and Pearsall returns will have big impacts on the 49ers offense from a fantasy perspective, but Pearsall's return is much more impactful.

While Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle remain must-starts, the wide receiver room undergoes a major shift if Pearsall is back.

Jauan Jennings, who was the clear leading receiver for San Francisco with Pearsall out, has put up 14.1 and 17.1 points the last two weeks. With Pearsall back, his production is likely to take a dip.

Jennings and Pearsall played three weeks together at the start of the year. In those three weeks (Weeks 1, 2, and 4), Jennings put up 3.6, 19.9, and 6.4 points.

Pearsall, meanwhile, had 14.8, 9.2, and 8.6 points in Full PPR leagues through the first month of the year alongside Jennings.

More: Kyle Shanahan reveals why Ricky Pearsall isn't back yet for 49ers

If both Pearsall and Jennings play, their ceilings will be capped. Add on that Kittle is healthy, which he wasn't after Week 1, and the offense might be a bit more spread out.

However, there is a major difference from those first three weeks compared to now with the 49ers that will make both strong starting options: The defense is very banged up and struggling.

Over the last three weeks, the 49ers have given up 42, 24, and 26 points. A struggling defense is good for the pass catchers in fantasy, making Jennings and Pearsall solid options for fantasy managers.

Kendrick Bourne and any other 49ers WR can be dropped. Jennings and Pearsall are the only two receivers worth rostering, as Brandon Aiyuk is still a ways away from returning.

Kittle and McCaffrey are must-starts regardless of Pearsall's status. Jennings is a strong WR2 option until Pearsall is back, and once the second-year receiver returns, Pearsall and Jennings will be solid Flex options, especially in good matchups.

More 49ers News:

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• 49ers suffer another devastating loss to the defense in Week 9 win vs. Giants
• Why Brock Purdy still isn't playing QB today for 49ers as Mac Jones keeps starting
• Brock Purdy injury update: 4 reasons for 49ers to wait on starting QB, stick with Mac Jones
• Tom Brady reveals story behind his beef with 49ers from 2000 NFL Draft