The San Francisco 49ers opened their season with a huge win, defeating division rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, 27-7, in Melbourne, Australia. However, that season-opening win also brought an unfortunate injury during the game. During the second quarter, promising rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling went down with an ankle injury and then left the game for further evaluation by team personnel.
Stribling didn't return in his team's win on Thursday and left the game without any statistics in his regular-season debut for San Francisco. After the game, his head coach, Kyle Shanahan, said the rookie avoided an Achilles tear but would need further tests to determine the severity of his injury. On Sunday, an update arrived regarding his injury and potential return timeline, with Stribling expected to miss at least a month for the 49ers.
More news: Michael Vick Praises Browns for Starting Deshaun Watson Over Shedeur Sanders According to ESPN, sources said that Stribling's non-contact injury was a deltoid ligament sprain and that the rookie may need surgery, but as of this writing, there are no reported plans for that. Stribling, 23, was the 49ers' No. 33 pick in the second round out of Ole Miss. The 6-foot-2 receiver, who also played at Oklahoma State in 2024, recorded back-to-back seasons with over 800 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
He was a significant addition to the 49ers' receiving corps, and the possibility that he could be out longer than a month would be a disappointing start for his NFL career. Without the rookie, the 49ers still have plenty of offensive threats. That was clear in Thursday's win over the Rams, where quarterback Brock Purdy found plenty of options, en route to his 205 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Among his top targets were veteran Mike Evans, who had six receptions for 49 yards and his first touchdown with San Francisco. Demarcus Robinson finished with two receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown, while Deebo Samuel also scored a touchdown to go with 48 yards. And those are just three options Purdy has to throw to, with guys named George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey, also known to have strong performances throughout their respective careers.
If Stribling can return to play in a month, it could further add to the 49ers' offensive weapons, which already look like a serious threat for the rest of the league. More news: Mike Evans Calls Out Rams’ Travel Plans After 49ers’ Blowout Win For more about the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL, visit Newsweek Sports.
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