The 49ers got a big Week 1 win over the Rams in Australia, but the day came with a costly setback for rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling.
Stribling’s injury was the main concern coming out of the 27-7 blowout, especially because it was a non-contact issue that immediately raised alarms. The good news is that the early update indicated it was not expected to be a season-ending injury. Even so, San Francisco is now taking the next step and moving him to injured reserve.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers are placing Stribling on IR, which will keep him out for at least four games. Schefter reported, "49ers rookie WR De'Zhuan Stribling is being placed on injured reserve due to his ankle injury, sidelining him for at least four games, per sources," Schefter reports.
Stribling didn’t put up any stats in his NFL debut against Los Angeles, but he was on the field frequently early in the game. He left at one point with an injury, then returned not long after.
That return is what led to the later non-contact scare. The injury is serious enough to cost him the next month, but the expectation is still that this won’t end his season.
The immediate result is that Stribling will miss Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins, along with games against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3, the Denver Broncos in Week 4, and the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5.
Week 6 against the Washington Commanders on October 19 is the earliest possible return date. Still, with the 49ers’ Week 8 bye, it would make sense for the team to give him extra time before bringing him back for the stretch run.
If San Francisco goes that route, Stribling’s return could come in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 8. Either way, he’s locked into missing the next four weeks, with Week 6 the first possible point for a comeback.
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