It feels like ages ago that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling was set to be Brock Purdy's next go-to weapon. The rookie impressed during the preseason, and expectations were sky-high heading into Week 1.
Unfortunately, things didn't go according to plan. The pass catcher suffered a left ankle injury in the second quarter and has been out ever since. He presumably won't return until December at the earliest.
Of course, many would like to see him pick back up where he left off upon his return, but if Deebo Samuel's recent comments are any indication, don't expect Stribling to do much of anything when he suits up again.
When discussing the 49ers' offensive scheme in a recent interview, Samuel had the following to say:
"[Shanahan's system] is really tough, to be honest with you... My rookie year, I'd say it probably took me about eight or nine weeks to really be comfortable in the offense."
De'Zhaun Stribling may just have to try again in 2027
Deebo has a point. In the first seven games of his rookie season, he averaged just 32.4 yards per game. It wasn't until Weeks 8 and 9 that he recorded his first two 100-yard performances of his career.
Regarding the rest of De'Zhaun Stribling's rookie season, there is a clear obstacle: he simply doesn't have eight or nine weeks to get acclimated to the offense. By the time he returns, the Niners will be just weeks away from the playoffs.
Even in Week 1, he failed to garner a single target despite running the most routes of any receiver before he got hurt. That lack of attention could very well have been a result of not being in the correct spot on occasion, or missing some other subtlety in Shanahan's scheme.
Because the rookie hasn't been able to grow accustomed to the offense, it might just make more sense to let him start fresh in 2027, when he doesn't have to perform under immediate pressure.
Stribling's development in 49ers offense far less essential after Keenan Allen trade
Fortunately, Stribling may not be forced to learn on the fly. The 49ers' latest trade for veteran Keenan Allen will serve to bolster the team's receiving depth, thus giving him more time to come back when he's ready.
If the second-rounder were to slot back into the lineup in December as previously anticipated, he would be thrust into a situation where he would be set up to fail.
By then, the Niners will be in the middle of trying to secure a first-round bye. They will face off against the Giants, Rams, Chargers, and Chiefs in December. Three of those four teams are formidable opponents with postseason aspirations.
Especially if the offense is as hard to pick up as Deebo Samuel says it is, a 2027 return for the rookie makes far more sense and will be the best possible solution for all parties involved.
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