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Another highly drafted 49ers receiver will miss significant time after needing surgery.
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Rookie wideout De’Zhaun Stribling will be out roughly 10 weeks after having surgery on his injured left ankle Wednesday, coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters. The news comes roughly a month after fellow receiver Ricky Pearsall had knee surgery that knocked him out for the season.
Stribling, the No. 33 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, was expected to have a significant role with Pearsall out. He led 49ers receivers in snaps played in last week’s season-opening win over the Los Angeles Rams before exiting with the injury in the first half. Testing revealed Stribling suffered a deltoid sprain. He’s expected to be placed on injured reserve.
The 49ers on Wednesday promoted special teams standout KhaDarel Hodge to the active roster to take Stribling’s place. Hodge was elevated for last week’s game in Australia. With Stribling, Pearsall and defensive lineman Mykel Williams (ACL) out, the 49ers are working without their top draft picks from the last three drafts.
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There was fear initially that Stribling suffered a torn Achilles, but Shanahan said the team’s medical staff on the 49ers sideline determined his Achilles was intact. Ten weeks from Thursday’s game would tentatively put Stribling back on the field in mid-November.
Without Stribling against the Rams, Demarcus Robinson, Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel combined to catch 14 of 17 targets while all caught touchdown passes from quarterback Brock Purdy in the 27-7 victory. San Francisco outgained Los Angeles, 379 yards to 290.
The 49ers on Sunday will host the Miami Dolphins at in their home opener at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers returned from Australia on Friday, while the Dolphins are spending the week practicing in nearby Napa following Sunday’s road loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
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