It took just one week for the San Francisco 49ers to lose their exciting rookie, De'Zhaun Stribling, for the majority of the season. After tweaking his ankle early in the opener against the Rams, Stribling went back into the game and exacerbated the injury.
His re-entry into the game was a clear misstep on behalf of the training staff, and now the rookie has to suffer the consequences. It's a blow to an offense that is in need of more explosive athleticism, but it may come with a silver lining.
Following Stribling's official designation, the team promoted edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo to the 53-man roster. Though many would prefer to have the Ole Miss product still healthy and running routes, his IR status creates an opportunity for the 49ers to bolster their depleted pass rush.
49ers were living dangerously with their current healthy pass rushers
Excluding Okoronkwo, San Francisco enters Week 2 with just four healthy edge rushers. Nick Bosa, Romello Height, and Keion White look to take the majority of the snaps, and backup Khalid Kareem resembles more of an emergency-use option.
Therefore, it only made sense to add another body on the outside. With Mykel Williams out for at least the first four games of the year, the Niners could definitely use some reinforcements at the position.
Okoronkwo is definitely serviceable. In 80 career games, he has registered 17 sacks and could bring another veteran presence to what already looks like a stout defensive unit. He will likely see his first action of the season in a cupcake matchup against a rebuilding Dolphins team. The contest has all the makings of a lopsided affair.
49ers adding Ogbo Okoronkwo to a seemingly much-improved pass rush
While the Niners needed depth in the pass rush, they did not lack for talent. The defensive line looked impressive in Week 1 against the Rams. Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa looked every bit the interior presence they traded for this offseason, as he led the team in QB pressures. Matthew Stafford looked out of sorts as a result, and the entire Los Angeles offense failed to get anything going.
Okoronkwo will now join the impressive lineup. Even if he's just a complementary piece, he should still be able to make an impact. Regardless, this defense appears to be in stark contrast to a 2025 49ers unit that ranked dead last in sacks.
While the loss of De'Zhaun Stribling is devastating, fans can't overlook the fact that it allows the red and gold to add another insurance policy on the opposite side of the ball. The promotion of Okoronkwo won't turn any heads like Stribling did in the preseason, but it strengthens what already looks to be an early advantage for the 49ers.
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