De’Zhaun Stribling, the 49ers’ rookie wide receiver, has been tearing it up in preseason, hauling in 11 receptions for 109 yards across just two exhibition games, yet head coach Kyle Shanahan is openly downplaying the absolute fireworks this kid is bringing to the field. Talk about a cold shoulder! Stribling, who the Niners drafted with the No. 33 overall pick out of Ole Miss this year, is clearly making a huge statement, even if his coach is trying to keep a lid on it.
The Rookie’s Blazing Start Is No Accident
This isn’t just a fluke. Stribling has been a standout performer not only in these exhibition games but also throughout training camp. He burst onto the scene against the Titans, snagging seven catches for 63 yards, including a monster 32-yard grab that got everyone talking. Then, he followed that up with another strong showing against the Chargers, pulling in four catches for 46 yards on five targets. That kind of consistent production from a rookie in his first taste of NFL action is seriously impressive. He’s showing real chemistry and an ability to get open, making the plays when the ball comes his way.
Shanahan’s “Expected” Line Is a Head-Scratcher
You’d think a coach would be pumped about a rookie putting up these numbers, but Shanahan is playing it super cool, almost dismissive. When asked if Stribling’s early returns have blown away expectations, Shanahan pushed back hard. “No, the preseason games don’t mean that much to me and the coverages just went that way,” Shanahan said Tuesday. “He happened to get targeted, he made those plays, but he’s been doing that in practice too. He’s where we expected him to be.” It’s a classic coach move, trying to temper hype, but you gotta wonder if he’s genuinely not impressed or just trying to keep the kid grounded. To say “the coverages just went that way” feels a little disingenuous when Stribling is consistently making big plays.
Injuries Forced Stribling Into the Spotlight Early
While Shanahan might be downplaying the surprise factor, he did acknowledge that Stribling’s accelerated workload wasn’t exactly part of the original game plan. The San Francisco receiver room took a huge hit when Ricky Pearsall went down for the season, needing surgery for a PCL injury in his knee, an outcome announced back on August 1. That opened a clear path for Stribling to step up alongside veterans like Deebo Samuel, Mike Evans, and Christian Kirk. Shanahan admitted, “We’d hoped to not have to use him quite as much early on with Ricky and stuff out there, but we believed he was talented enough and made of the right stuff that he could be if needed. And just losing Ricky just ups that a little bit. You have to use him a little sooner than you prepared, but that’s stuff that happens all the time.” Stribling’s got the physical tools, too, standing at 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, and blazing a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine. He’s built for this.
The rookie now heads into the preseason finale against the Raiders, with a huge opportunity to solidify his role before the 49ers kick off their regular season against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia. Can Stribling force Shanahan to admit he’s more than just “where we expected him to be”? Every rep counts for this kid right now.
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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