Rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling is expected to miss at least a month after suffering an ankle injury in San Francisco's 27-7 season-opening victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Stribling was the 49ers' first selection in the 2026 NFL draft.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that Stribling's Achilles tendon was still intact. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport later reported that the injury was a deltoid sprain in Stribling's ankle, in a report published by sports.yahoo.com. Surgery has not been scheduled, though it remains a possibility.
Stribling is weighing treatment choices and pursuing another medical opinion, according to the report. San Francisco is expected to place him on injured reserve, but no confirmed timetable beyond the minimum expected absence was provided.
The injury comes after San Francisco also lost wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Christian Kirk to injuries, leaving fewer available players at the position. The 49ers scored 27 points against the Rams, with Mike Evans contributing at wide receiver, George Kittle at tight end and Christian McCaffrey at running back.
It remains uncertain whether Stribling will return after a month, miss more time or require surgery.