Sept. 10, 2026Updated Sept. 11, 2026, 12:09 a.m. ET
The San Francisco 49ers can’t escape the injury bug. This time, rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling has been bit.
Stribling went down at the 7:16 mark of the second quarter with an apparent leg injury. 49ers team trainers and medical staff went on the field to tend to Stribling.
They were seen nursing his left calf. He was helped off the field as he limped to the blue medical tent on the sideline.
Stribling appeared to have tweaked his left leg, suffering an apparent non-contact injury while making a cut in the open field.
De’Zhaun Stribling injury update
After the 49ers’ victory over the Rams, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that Stribling’s Achilles was intact, a positive update for the wide receiver. Shanahan also said the medical team was running tests and they are unsure of the severity of the injury.
Stribling could be seen not putting any weight on his left leg following the injury. He was carted off the sideline and back to the locker room.
He suffered an ankle injury earlier in first quarter of the game, where he was questionable to return to action. He ultimately returned before suffering the second quarter non-contact injury.
Stribling was selected out of University of Mississippi with the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft to the Niners. He was highly praised as one of the top receivers in the draft.
49ers WR depth chart
Remaining receivers on the San Francisco depth chart include
- Mike Evans
- Deebo Samuel Sr.
- Demarcus Robinson
- KhaDarel Hodge
- Jacob Cowing,
- Wesley Grimes
With Stribling going down, the Niners lose some much-needed depth at their wideout position. Quarterback Brock Purdy has still managed to utilize his other skill players finding seven different targets – eight if you count a batted pass at the line of scrimmage that landed in center Jake Brendel’s hands.
The only active players through the first half versus the Rams are Evans, Samuel, Robinson and Hodge.
Although that’s the rest of the receivers on the 49ers depth chart, not all are available against the Rams. Watkins is inactive. Aiyuk isn’t with the team but is technically on the roster. Pearsall is out for the season with PCL surgery. Kirk is on injured reserved list.
49ers injuries
Stribling wasn’t the only 49er to go down against the Rams. Jake Tonges also was injured in the matchup with Los Angeles in Melbourne, Australia.
He left the game in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Sept. 10, in Australia, moments after Stribling, with what appeared to be a leg injury. Tonges was later ruled out.
The injury list continues to grow for the Niners, despite getting a big momentum push with the return of Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, George Kittle and Mike Evans.
Stribling and Tonges join an injured list that includes: DL Victor Dimukeje, DL Andrew Farmer II, S Darrick Forrest, CB Nate Hobbs, DL Mikail Kamara, WR Christian Kirk, LB Nick Martin, WR Ricky Pearsall, OL Austin Pleasants, OL Brett Toth, OL Nick Zakelj.
The reserve/PUP list includes Isaac Guerendo and Mykel Williams.
Substation theory continues
The latest 49er injuries only continue the since-debunked theory that electrical substation are influencing the numerous injuries sustained to San Francisco players.
The running joke began in Santa Clara at Levi’s Stadium, the home site of the 49ers. But still, up to 7,862 miles away, across the Pacific Ocean in Melbourne, Australia, the substation conspiracy theory resurfaced.
The 49ers and Rams are playing at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. Just like Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the game site in Australia is surrounded by substations.
The Jolimont Yard substation is a short, 3-minute walk from Melbourne Cricket Ground Stadium. The Richmond Station, another substation just a short distance from the stadium, is a 10- to 15-minute walk away.
It’s only a matter of time before the substation conspiracists bring this up.
This story will be updated.
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