49ers hoping De'Zhaun Stribling can provide late-season boost

The San Francisco 49ers could use some help at wide receiver. The team is unlikely to have Mike Evans or Deebo Samuel available this weekend against the Las Vegas Raiders at Levi's Stadium, as San Francisco looks to avoid a second straight loss.

This week, the 49ers opened the practice window for Demarcus Robinson, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2. However, the team could still use additional reinforcements at the position. Reports suggest San Francisco is exploring trade options.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan recently shared that the 49ers expect rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling to return in December after suffering an ankle injury in Week 1, potentially providing a late-season boost to the receiving corps.

General manager John Lynch joined Bay Area radio station KNBR on Thursday morning to discuss Stribling's recovery, noting that the rookie is working tirelessly to get back on the field.

"Strib's come along well," Lynch said. "He had surgery early, after Australia, and he's tracking well. I'm not going to get into timelines, but Strib's coming [along]. It's cool, every time I see him, he fits in that same mold of profile of Mike Evans, just a tireless worker."

The 49ers' receiving corps has been decimated by injuries this season. In addition to Evans and Samuel, San Francisco lost projected starter Ricky Pearsall, who is out for the season.

Christian Kirk has returned after missing training camp and the start of the regular season, while Robinson could be activated from injured reserve as soon as this weekend.

Still, Stribling generated plenty of excitement among 49ers fans with his performance during training camp and the preseason, raising expectations that he could make an early impact as a rookie.

"So, Strib is putting the work in," Lynch continued. "I can't wait to get him back on the field because I think we all saw in training camp and throughout the preseason games, this guy's going to be a really good football player. And so, he's working hard, and hopefully, at the end of this season, we'll have Strib back in the fold."

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