San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling will miss at least a month with an ankle injury, sources told NFL Network.
Stribling suffered a non-contact injury in the second quarter of San Francisco’s 27-7 season opener over the Los Angeles Rams in Australia on Thursday night and did not return to the game. Sources said Stribling’s injury was a sprained deltoid ligament in his left ankle.
Stribling may eventually need surgery, sources said, although his recovery plan was uncertain as of Sunday morning.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that Stribling avoided a torn Achilles tendon but said the team would need to conduct further testing to determine a specific diagnosis.
San Francisco selected Stribling with the first pick (33rd overall) in the second round of this year’s draft. The former Mississippi State star had a strong showing in training camp and played a major role in the offense heading into the season.