49ers Rookie Stribling Expected to Miss Month With Ankle Sprain

The San Francisco 49ers opened the season with a 27-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Australia, but rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling suffered a deltoid ankle sprain and is expected to miss at least a month. Stribling initially left the game with ankle discomfort, was cleared to return, and then went down without contact shortly afterward, prompting criticism of the team’s medical and training staff. Analysts have cited previous cases involving Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall to argue that San Francisco has a pattern of returning injured players too soon, though the extent of the staff’s responsibility remains an allegation rather than an established finding. Stribling’s absence removes a promising young target for Brock Purdy and is expected to increase Deebo Samuel’s workload, while the 49ers will rely more heavily on established receivers and less-tested depth options.