Ricky Pearsall Makes First NFL Catch Weeks After Being Shot in Chest

Ricky Pearsall made his emotional return to the field Sunday ... playing his first NFL game after taking a bullet to the chest during an alleged robbery attempt -- and, he just made his first catch.

The 49ers wide receiver pulled in a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs just moments ago in his first career game ... tackled after a gain of just six yards.

Not much to write home about for the typical NFL wide receiver ... but, Pearsall's journey is far from typical -- as you know Pearsall ended up in the hospital after cops say a man shot him while trying to steal his Rolex in San Francisco.

According to cops, the incident went down at around 3:30 in the afternoon on August 31 in Union Square hours after RP participated in an autograph signing.

Pearsall was shot in the chest during an alleged scuffle with a 17-year-old assailant ... though, the bullet missed all vital organs according to his mom.

The 17-year-old suspect -- whose name hasn't been released since he's a minor -- has been charged with attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm and attempted second-degree robbery.

Deputy Public Defender Bob Dunlap -- who is defending the alleged shooter -- says his client is truly sorry for his actions and felt real remorse over the incident.