49ers' top pick De'Zhaun Stribling could reportedly require ankle surgery
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'zhaun Stribling (15) catches the ball as Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Cam Hart (20) defends during an NFL preseason football game in Inglewood, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
TL;DR
- Rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling suffered a deltoid sprain in his left ankle during the season opener.
- The injury could require surgery, with a minimum recovery time of one month.
- This adds to the season-ending injury of fellow rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall.
- The 49ers' top three wide receivers are now all 30 or older.
- Stribling was the team's top pick in the draft and had shown promise in training camp and preseason.