De'Zhaun Stribling Injury Update, Surgery Plan and Timeline for Return Revealed in New 49ers Rumors

The San Francisco 49ers will reportedly be without promising rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling for at least a month.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Stribling suffered a deltoid sprain in his ankle during Thursday's season-opening win over the Los Angeles Rams. 

"Stribling is still seeking opinions, and while surgery is not currently planned, it is possible," Rapoport added while noting he is expected to miss at least a month of action. "SF will be cautious."

This is quite the blow for a 49ers team that will already be without fellow wide receiver Ricky Pearsall for the season due to a PCL injury that required surgery.

They have veterans Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, as well as tight end George Kittle, to lead the way in the aerial attack, but Stribling was expected to play a major role as another option for quarterback Brock Purdy with Pearsall sidelined.

San Francisco selected the Ole Miss product with a second-round pick in this year's draft, and it didn't take long for him to receive plenty of hype in fantasy football circles.

Stribling helped lead Ole Miss to the College Football Playoff semifinals last season with 55 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns before he stood out leading up to the NFL draft because of his combination of size and speed.

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Given the defensive attention Evans, Samuel and Kittle typically draw when they are on the field, the rookie figured to be an immediate contributor who could take advantage of space, favorable matchups and single coverage.

However, that will have to wait following his setback.

The 49ers return home for the next three games against the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos before a Week 5 showdown on the road against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 11.

That would be approximately one month after the Sept. 10 opener in which Stribling suffered the injury, although the team is understandably using caution with more of a long-term approach with the rookie.