The San Francisco 49ers were already expected to be without wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling for at least four games after the rookie suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams.
That will soon become official. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 49ers will place Stribling on injured reserve, making him ineligible to play for at least four games.
49ers rookie WR De'Zhaun Stribling is being placed on injured reserve due to his ankle injury, sidelining him at least four games, per sources. pic.twitter.com/mVgTjGMXg1
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2026
To fill Stribling's roster spot, the 49ers are reportedly promoting wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge from the practice squad to the active roster.
The 49ers are promoting WR KhaDarel Hodge to the active roster, per source.
Hodge was a practice squad elevation last week and had two tackles in Australia.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 16, 2026
Stribling played 21 snaps against the Rams before exiting in the first half with an ankle injury and being carted to the locker room. The rookie stood out during training camp and the preseason, establishing himself as one of the offense's most reliable pass-catchers.
That was significant because rookie wide receivers don't typically earn significant roles in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense. However, Stribling had played more snaps against the Rams before his injury than any other 49ers wide receiver.
The severity of Stribling's injury remains unclear. An earlier report from NFL insider Ian Rapoport stated that surgery is not currently planned, though the possibility has not been ruled out. The receiver was reportedly seeking opinions.
Rapoport added that the 49ers will take a cautious approach with Stribling's recovery.
Stribling caught 11 passes for 109 yards in two preseason games, further showing why the 49ers planned to give their second-round pick a chance to contribute as a rookie.
Mentioned in this article: KhaDarel Hodge, De'Zhaun Stribling
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