San Francisco’s rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling has officially landed on injured reserve, meaning he’s out for at least four games after suffering a left ankle injury in the Niners’ Week 1 win against the Rams down in Australia. This isn’t just some bump or bruise, either. The second-round pick, taken 33rd overall in April, was a total standout in training camp and the preseason, racking up 11 catches for 109 yards in just two exhibition games. He was leading the team in routes run in the opener before getting hurt. Losing him, especially after the Niners also lost tight end Jake Tonges to a knee injury in the same game, is a huge hit for a team that looked super impressive in Week 1.
This Ain’t Your Daddy’s Ankle Sprain
The best news the 49ers got was that Stribling’s Achilles tendon is still intact. If that thing ripped, he’d be done for the season, no question. But seriously, folks, even with that silver lining, this isn’t a simple recovery. Stribling’s got a deltoid ligament sprain in his left ankle, and it’s a rare one. We’re talking about a ligament on the inside of the foot, which is way less common than the usual exterior ligament sprains. The Niners are reportedly trying to avoid surgery for now, but that could change if things don’t go as planned.
This deltoid ligament stuff can be super tricky to treat, and a four-week recovery is often the absolute best-case scenario. Some of these sprains, or even partial tears, can drag on for six to eight weeks before a player can even think about full cutting or sprinting. That could keep Stribling sidelined all the way until after the 49ers’ Week 8 bye. Then there’s the whole question of how quickly a rookie can ramp back up to game speed after that kind of layoff. And if surgery *does* become an option? We’re talking months of recovery, probably a season-ender. What’s even more concerning is the non-contact nature of the second time he left the game with the same ankle injury. That’s the kind of thing that makes you wonder if the tissue is way more damaged than they’re letting on right now.
Who Steps Up While Stribling Sits?
So, Stribling is on IR, and we know he’s out for the next four games. That stretch includes matchups against the Dolphins, Cardinals, and Broncos in Weeks 2-4. Losing a 6-foot-2 receiver who runs sub-4.4 is a serious blow to their offense. That speed element? It’s not easily replaced. The Niners have already signed KhaDarel Hodge off the practice squad to fill the roster spot. Hodge played one offensive snap and 12 special teams snaps in Week 1.
But really, the load is gonna fall on the other receivers who played in the opener: Mike Evans, Demarcus Robinson, and Deebo Samuel. All three of those guys snagged touchdown passes in Week 1, so they’re already proven playmakers. Jacob Cowing also got five offensive snaps and handled punt return duties. The Niners are going to need those guys to carry the water and step up big while Stribling is out. With those three tough games ahead and then a trip to face our Seahawks in Week 5, this receiving corps will be tested, big time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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