De’Zhaun Stribling, the 49ers‘ top pick in the spring draft, injured his ankle in the team’s season-opening win over the Los Angeles Rams in Australia and could require surgery, according to ESPN.
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Stribling went down without contact while running a route in the second quarter after previously receiving some medical attention from the 49ers’ trainers.
He is expected to miss at least a month with a deltoid ligament sprain, ESPN’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday, adding that while his treatment plan isn’t finalized, surgery is an option. Coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that Stribling’s Achilles was intact.
The 49ers’ wide receiver group was remade this offseason as veteran Mike Evans signed in free agency and Jauan Jennings signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Deebo Samuel also returned a year after being traded to Washington, but Ricky Pearsall Jr. is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery during training camp.
Only Evans, Samuel and veteran Demarcus Robinson — the former Ram who had a deep touchdown catch to open the 49ers’ scoring in the opener — caught passes from Brock Purdy in the game. Jacob Cowing (five snaps) and practice squad elevation KhaDarel Hodge (one snap) were the only other wideouts to see time on offense.
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Stribling had impressed throughout the 49ers’ preseason, elevating expectations for his first season out of Mississippi.
For those wondering about Brandon Aiyuk, he remains on the reserve/left squad list, sitting in limbo after asking for a release via social media throughout the offseason.
Luke Farrell saw 46 snaps to lead the tight end group ahead of George Kittle, who played 30 in his first regular-season game back from an Achilles tear in the playoffs. Leaning more heavily on that position could be a possibility, if not for Jake Tonges’ knee injury, which Shanahan said did not look good.
The one positive for the 49ers is that, after starting the season early, they still have a week to sort out their plans, with their home opener against the Miami Dolphins set for Sept. 20.
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