San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling will miss close to 10 weeks of the NFL season after undergoing ankle surgery, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The setback comes after the wideout suffered a left ankle injury during the team’s Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, on Friday, September 11, 2026.
### Shanahan Confirms 10-Week Recovery Timeline
Speaking during a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Kyle Shanahan revealed the extent of the injury and the required surgical procedure. Following the game in Australia, reports initially indicated a potential deltoid ligament sprain that would sideline the wide receiver for at least a month. The subsequent need for surgery extended that projection significantly.
### Roster Moves and Injured Reserve Status
The 49ers intend to place Stribling on injured reserve within the coming days, guaranteeing a mandatory absence of at least the next four games. The transaction formalizes the team’s depth chart adjustments as they prepare for the middle portion of the regular year without the training camp standout. Stribling’s injury compounds a challenging stretch for recent San Francisco draft picks. Alongside fellow recent selections Malik Mustapha and Ricky Pearsall, Stribling joins a group of young players who have missed significant time due to injuries since joining the franchise.
### Offensive Adjustments for San Francisco
Quarterback Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense retain several established playmakers while Stribling recovers. Veteran wide receiver Mike Evans contributed six receptions and a touchdown in his team debut during the Melbourne opener. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel also factored into the game plan in Australia following his return to the franchise. Head coach Kyle Shanahan continues to rely on tight end George Kittle and pass-catching running back Christian McCaffrey to anchor the offensive unit alongside Evans and Samuel as the team navigates the 2026 schedule without the rookie wide receiver.
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