The San Francisco 49ers expect rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling to be sidelined for at least a month after he was injured during the team's 27-7 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in its season opener. Stribling was San Francisco's first pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that Stribling's Achilles tendon remained intact. The injury was later identified in a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport as a deltoid sprain in Stribling's ankle, according to the report published by sports.yahoo.com.
Surgery is not currently scheduled, but it remains possible. Rapoport reported that Stribling is considering treatment options and seeking another medical opinion. The 49ers are also expected to place him on injured reserve, although the report did not provide a confirmed timetable beyond the expected minimum absence.
Stribling's injury follows injuries to fellow San Francisco wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Christian Kirk, leaving the team's receiver group short on available players. The 49ers' offense produced 27 points against the Rams with contributions from wide receiver Mike Evans, tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey.
