49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: Heading to injured reserve
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The 49ers are expected to place Stribling (ankle) on injured reserve, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.
Stribling wasn't able to return to the 49ers' Ween 1 win against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia after appearing to pick up a non-contact injury to his lower left leg. He eventually was diagnosed with an ankle injury after his Achilles was shown to be intact, but he'll need some time on the sideline. Once he's on IR, Stribling will be required to miss at least the next four games, meaning his next chance for game action would be Monday, Oct. 19 versus the Commanders.
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: Likely out at least one month
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Stribling (ankle) is expected to miss at least one month after he was diagnosed Sunday with a deltoid sprain of his left ankle, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Stribling saw plenty of playing time early in his NFL debut during Thursday's 27-7 win over the Rams, drawing no targets but taking the field for 21 of the team's first 26 offensive snaps before going down with an injury. Initial tests ruled out an Achilles injury for Stribling, but the second-round rookie will still require some down time as a result of the ankle sprain. According to Rapoport, Stribling is seeking multiple medical opinions on his injury, and while surgery isn't yet planned, the 49ers haven't dismissed the possibility of the wideout needing an operation. The 49ers will likely hold off on placing Stribling on injured reserve until a decision is made on a treatment plan.
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: Ruled out for remainder of Thursday's game
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Stribling (ankle) has been ruled out for the rest of Thursday's game against the Rams, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Stribling briefly exited Thursday's game in the first quarter with a left ankle injury but was quickly cleared to return after being checked out in the blue medical tent. However, on the next drive, Stribling crumpled to the ground while running a route and had to be assisted off the field by the training staff before being carted to the locker room. He's now done for the night Thursday, having recorded zero targets. Demarcus Robinson is operating as the Niners' WR3 behind Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel.
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: Leaves game again Thursday
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Stribling had to be helped off the field and headed back to the blue medical tent during Thursday's game against the Rams after appearing to re-injure his left ankle, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
After previously returning from an ankle issue earlier Thursday, Stribling again came up lame while running a route in the second quarter. He fell to the turf and had to be assisted off the field by the training staff. Demarcus Robinson is now operating as the Niners' clear WR3 behind Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel. Stribling didn't draw a target prior to his injury.
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: Returns to Thursday's game
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Stribling (ankle) returned to Thursday's game against the Rams, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Stribling spent a brief amount of time in the medical tent on the 49ers' sideline but was quickly cleared to return to the game. The second-round rookie has yet to draw a target on 18 pass attempts by Brock Purdy, and Stribling appears to be pretty clearly behind all of Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey for opportunities.
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: Not playing in preseason finale
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Stribling (shoulder) won't suit up for Thursday's preseason contest at Las Vegas, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.
Stribling seemingly came out of preseason Week 2 action with a minor shoulder injury, but he was able to mix back into drills as of Sunday while wearing a non-contact jersey. Considering he showed out in the 49ers' first two exhibitions with a combined 11 catches for 109 yards, the team will rest him along with other key members of the receiving corps. Stribling will set his sights on getting healthy for a Week 1 matchup with the Rams in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, Sept. 10
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: Working through shoulder issue
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Stribling is considered day-to-day due to a shoulder injury, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Stribling may have picked up the injury during the 49ers' 41-17 preseason win over the Chargers on Thursday, when he caught four passes on five targets for 46 yards. He's seen plenty of action over the Niners' first two exhibition games, so San Francisco could take the cautious route with the rookie second-rounder and hold him out of this Thursday's preseason finale against Las Vegas.
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: Paces pass catchers in loss
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Stribling brought in seven of eight targets for 63 yards in the 49ers' 19-13 preseason loss to the Titans on Thursday.
The 2026 second-round pick led the 49ers in receptions and receiving yards while checking in second in targets to Jordan Watkins. Stribling finished his college career with back-to-back 800-yard seasons, and Ricky Pearsall's season-ending knee injury opens up plenty of opportunity for the rookie to make a significant first-year impact. Stribling is also currently benefiting from Christian Kirk's lingering calf injury, and the former's performance in his NFL debut certainly helps buttress his case for consistent opportunity right from the onset of his first season.
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: In uniform Thursday
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Stribling (hamstring) is in uniform for Thursday's practice, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Stribling had yet to practice in the month of August due to hamstring tightness, but the rookie second-round pick is poised to practice in at least some capacity Thursday. San Francisco's wide receiver room is in flux at the moment, as Mike Evans (quadriceps) and Christian Kirk (calf) have been sidelined at practice, Ricky Pearsall (knee) recently underwent season-ending surgery and Deebo Samuel signed with the 49ers on July 30.
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: Set for expanded role sans Pearsall
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Stribling will have the opportunity to earn an expanded role in the 49ers' offense after Ricky Pearsall (knee) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
Pearsall was held out of training camp practices earlier this week due to a PCL injury in his right knee, which has been deemed severe enough for the third-year wideout to undergo season-ending surgery. The Niners signed veteran Deebo Samuel to a one-year contract Friday, but both Stribling and Demarcus Robinson will have an opportunity to compete for an expanded role in the offense alongside Mike Evans and Christian Kirk (calf). Stribling was a second-round selection of the 49ers in the 2026 NFL Draft following his final college season at Ole Miss, when he logged 55 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns across 15 games.
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: Picked by 49ers
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The 49ers selected Stribling in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 33rd overall.
The 49ers made Stribling the first selection of the second round, which is considerably higher than where Stribling was projected before the draft. Perhaps it was an unexpected selection, but it's easily justifiable given Stribling's quality production at Washington State, Oklahoma State and, most recently, Mississippi. At 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, Stribling has the build to hold up on the boundary, and his 4.36-second 40 at the combine showed he has the wheels to threaten downfield. The 49ers feature Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall as their projected starters, and Jauan Jennings remains a free agent, but if Stribling sees snaps there's reason to believe he can capitalize.
