49ers rookie De'Zhaun Stribling shows progress in injury recovery

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49ers rookie De'Zhaun Stribling shows progress in injury recovery

Originally posted on 49ers Webzone | By David Bonilla | Last updated Nov 2, 2026 5:06 PM ET

Matt Barrows of The Athletic provided an update Monday on San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, who has not played since suffering an ankle injury in Week 1.

Reporters spotted Stribling walking around the 49ers' locker room without crutches, a brace, or any other visible support on his lower leg. It's an encouraging sign for the rookie as he continues his recovery.

One notable sight from the 49ers' open locker room today: De'Zhaun Stribling walking around without crutches or any sort of brace/support on his lower leg.— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) November 2, 2026

Last week, head coach Kyle Shanahan shared an update on Stribling's recovery and offered a possible timeline for the rookie's return.

"Nothing new with him. I'm hoping for sometime in December," Shanahan said.

The 49ers selected Stribling with the 33rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, making him their first selection this year. He showed promise during training camp and the preseason before the ankle injury interrupted the start of his rookie season.

Stribling's return would give quarterback Brock Purdy another option in the passing game and give the 49ers a chance to see what their second-round pick can contribute. For now, the team is hoping he can make progress toward Shanahan's projected December return.

This article first appeared on 49ers Webzone and was syndicated with permission.

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