49ers Place Rookie Wide Receiver De'Zhaun Stribling on Injured Reserve

The San Francisco 49ers have placed rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling on injured reserve with an ankle injury, the team announced Wednesday. The injury is expected to sideline the second-round pick for at least a month, forcing him to miss a minimum of four games.

Stribling sustained the injury late in the first quarter of the 49ers' Week 1 victory against the Los Angeles Rams. He briefly returned to action before going down again on the following drive and was carted off the field. Head coach Kyle Shanahan later confirmed that the injury was not an Achilles tear, alleviating initial concerns.

The absence of Stribling adds to the depth issues at wide receiver for the 49ers. The team is already without Ricky Pearsall, who is out for the season due to a knee injury.

Stribling, an Ole Miss product, had a strong offseason and training camp for the 49ers. While he did not record a reception in his NFL debut, his injury is expected to lead to an increased role for veteran receivers Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and Demarcus Robinson. In Week 1, the trio combined for 14 receptions, 147 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. Quarterback Brock Purdy had a notable performance in the season opener, despite Stribling's limited impact.

The 49ers will host the Miami Dolphins in Week 2, and the team's offensive explosiveness will be a key storyline to watch.