What started as just another day at San Francisco 49ers training camp quickly turned alarming when defensive lineman Tarron Jackson collapsed on the field.
The 27-year-old went down late in practice after taking a hit during a play and didn’t get back up for several minutes.
Medical staff rushed in, and he was eventually stretchered off the field and taken away by ambulance—sending a wave of concern across the team and fans alike.
Good Signs from the Hospital
Thankfully, there was a glimmer of relief shortly afterward.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed reporters and shared that Jackson was conscious, talking, and could feel all his limbs.
“So hopefully, we cleared the real scary stuff,” Shanahan said, adding that they were still waiting for updates on Jackson’s neck.
While it was a terrifying scene, initial reports were at least cautiously optimistic.
Team Pushes Through After Emotional Shock
Despite the scare, the 49ers managed to finish practice.
Shanahan admitted it was a difficult situation emotionally for the players, especially being so close to Jackson when it happened.
“We could hear him talking, we could see everything moving,” Shanahan said, which helped calm some of the worst fears.
When he asked the team if they wanted to finish practice, they responded with a unanimous “yes.”
Jackson’s Journey in the NFL So Far
Jackson was drafted in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Eagles back in 2021 and has since played in 24 NFL games between the Eagles and Panthers.
He signed with the 49ers earlier this offseason, hoping to carve out a new chapter in San Francisco.
A Boost from Pearsall’s Return
Earlier in the day—before the unsettling moment with Jackson—the team got some positive news.
Second-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was activated from the physically unable to perform list and joined practice for the first time this summer.
Shanahan noted that Pearsall had a light workload—about eight reps—but no issues were reported afterward.
“It was nice,” Shanahan said. “Good first day back.”
Pearsall’s Bumpy Start and Promising Finish
Pearsall has had a rough start to his NFL career.
The 2024 first-round pick missed most of his rookie training camp due to hamstring and shoulder injuries—and then suffered a terrifying setback when he was shot during a robbery attempt in San Francisco.
He returned in Week 7 last season and ended up posting solid numbers: 31 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games, including a strong finish with 210 yards and two scores in the final two weeks.
With Deebo Samuel traded and Brandon Aiyuk sidelined for the start of the season due to knee surgery, Pearsall will have plenty of eyes on him in 2025.
More Injuries Hit the Receiver Room
Unfortunately, the injury bug hasn’t left the 49ers alone.
Receiver Jauan Jennings left practice with a calf injury, and rookie Jacob Cowing tweaked his hamstring on the very first day of camp.
Both are expected to be out for a couple of weeks.
Cornerback Renardo Green also pulled a hamstring on Friday and will miss some time but could be back by mid-August—right before the Niners face the Raiders in their second preseason game.
Veteran Help Arrives in the Secondary
To help shore up the defense, veteran cornerback Eli Apple agreed to a deal with the 49ers on Sunday.
Apple, 29, brings plenty of experience, having played in 102 NFL games, including four with the Chargers last season.
Brock Purdy Returns to the Field
Meanwhile, quarterback Brock Purdy returned to practice after missing Friday’s session due to personal reasons.
Shanahan said everything was fine—“all good news”—and that Purdy didn’t skip a beat after the day off.
“He’ll probably share more with you guys when he’s ready,” Shanahan added, but made it clear the team’s starting QB was back and looking sharp.
What’s Next for the Niners?
With training camp in full swing and several key players in various stages of recovery, the 49ers are navigating the usual summer ups and downs—with the added emotional toll of Jackson’s injury scare.
For now, all eyes will be on updates from the hospital, the progress of injured players like Pearsall and Green, and how the team adapts in the lead-up to preseason action.