The 49ers are already dealing with an early season blow, with rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling officially heading to injured reserve. This move means Stribling will miss at least four games, a tough start for the young player and a quick test for the team’s depth chart after just their season opener.
Stribling Sidelined After Week 1 Win
Stribling suffered an ankle injury last Thursday during the 49ers’ season-opening victory over the Rams. It’s never good to see a rookie go down so early, especially after getting on the field for a win. ESPN’s Adam Schefter dropped the news that the team is indeed placing him on injured reserve, confirming the worst for his immediate playing time. The good news, if there is any, is that earlier reports indicated Stribling won’t need surgery to fix the ankle. Still, four games out is a significant chunk of the early season.
Roster Shuffle Already Underway
With Stribling out, the 49ers aren’t wasting any time adjusting. Jeremy Fowler, also from ESPN, reported that the team is signing wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge to their 53-man roster. Hodge is a familiar face, having been elevated from the practice squad in Week 1. This quick move shows the urgency the 49ers have to keep their receiver room stocked, especially with a young guy like Stribling hitting IR. It’s a classic next-man-up situation, but you hate to see it happen so fast.
Another Injury Scare for the Offense
Stribling isn’t the only offensive player who took a hit in that Rams game. Tight end Jake Tonges also got banged up, suffering an MCL injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan hinted that Tonges would miss some time while his MCL recovers. As of now, the team hasn’t moved Tonges to injured reserve, so maybe they’re holding out hope for a quicker return, or evaluating the severity. But two injuries to skill position players in Week 1? That’s definitely something to watch. The 49ers offense will need to stay resilient, or these early season bumps could start to add up fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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