San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans - Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling suffered an ankle injury in week one of the NFL season. Following the game, Stribling underwent surgery, and it was revealed that it would take 10 weeks to recover from a left ankle deltoid ligament sprain. With Stribling out for the foreseeable future, the 49ers wide receiver room will need to step up.
De’Zhaun Stribling’s Injury
Stribling’s injury is an unfortunate loss for San Francisco. The 49ers rookie went down in the first quarter of the team’s season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. While he did enter the game again, he was eventually carted off the field after suffering a non-contact injury.
After trading out of the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the 49ers used their first pick to select Stribling at No. 33 overall. Stribling spent five seasons playing college football, being drafted out of Ole Miss. He also spent time at Washington State and Oklahoma State.
In 2025 with the Ole Miss Rebels, Stribling recorded 55 receptions for 811 yards and six touchdowns. He went on to have an impressive preseason showing with San Francisco, building up hype for his rookie year. In two preseason games, he caught 11 receptions off 13 targets for 109 receiving yards.
Losing Stribling in week one is a challenge for the 49ers and a tough break for a rookie entering the season with anticipation.
49ers Wide Receiver Depth Dwindling
Stribling is not the only 49ers receiver missing time this year. Ahead of the season, 49ers third year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall underwent surgery to repair the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Pearsall will miss the entire 2026 season, another tough loss for the offense. Pearsall likely would have been a big target for quarterback Brock Purdy, with potential for a big season.
This past offseason, the 49ers signed veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk. In training camp, Kirk suffered a calf strain, resulting in joining the Injured Reserve. Kirk will miss at least four weeks, but his return could wind up being crucial for the offense.
Although not an injury, 49ers wide reciever Brandin Aiyuk is on the reserve/left squad list, another aspect of the offense not involved this season.
49ers Key Offseason Signings
With the offensive injuries, two of the biggest offseason signings are wide receivers Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel.
Evans signed a three-year deal with the 49ers after 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played in just eight games last season, but has been a consistently talented player throughout his career. 2025 has been the only season Evans did not reach 1,000 receiving yards in his career.
In the season opener, Evans recorded six receptions for 49 yards and one touchdown, already proving to be a clutch target for Purdy.
The 49ers also reunited with Samuel, after he spent the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders. Samuel already has a connection with Purdy and with the team, and Pearsall missing the season, the veteran wide receiver has a big opportunity this year.
Samuel is picking up where he left off with six receptions for 48 yards and one touchdown. The receiver is a dual threat as he can run the ball as well, with one carry for 12 yards. In the 49ers’ big win against the Rams, Samuel also had a massive special teams play, returning a kickoff for 45 yards.
Both receivers have battled injuries, making it already important for Evans and Samuel to stay healthy this season. With Stribling out, the two veterans have a big role on the offense.
Returners Who Must Step Up
In 2025, the 49ers signed wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who has spent time with the Kansas City Chielfs, Baltimore Ravens, and Los Angeles Rams.
Robinson was targeted just three times in the season opener. He had two receptions, one of which was a 39-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
In addition to Robinson, two key returners who need to step up are wide receivers Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins.
Cowing was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, spending most of his rookie season on special teams. After tearing his hamstring last season, Cowing is healthy and this is his chance to make a name for himself.
In 2025, the 49ers selected wide receiver Jordan Watkins in the fourth round. Though he has not played much, with just three targets through four games last season, he joins Cowing as a player who can take advantage of this opportunity.
Next Up for the 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are coming off of a big win against the Rams in Australia, and will next face the Miami Dolphins. Miami is coming off a loss against the Las Vegas Raiders, in which the Dolphins allowed 160 passing yards and three passing touchdowns.
The 49ers are no strangers to injuries and still have key pieces who can step on the offense.
