De’Zhaun Stribling headed to injured reserve after 21-snap NFL debut, ESPN reports

De’Zhaun Stribling’s first NFL appearance lasted 21 snaps. His next one will have to wait: the 49ers are placing the rookie receiver on injured reserve because of an ankle injury, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday. The move would keep him out for at least four games.

Stribling hurt his ankle during San Francisco’s season-opening win over the Rams in Melbourne. He returned after the initial injury, then left again in the second quarter without receiving a target. The 49ers had made him their first selection in April’s draft, taking him 33rd overall.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Stribling had a deltoid sprain and was expected to miss at least a month. At that point, he was seeking medical opinions; surgery remained an option but was not planned. Wednesday’s IR report does not establish when he will be healthy enough to return.

San Francisco already lost Ricky Pearsall for the season following knee surgery in August. Against the Rams, Mike Evans played 48 snaps, Demarcus Robinson 40 and Deebo Samuel 26, according to NFL.com. Those veterans carried the larger receiving workloads before the 49ers had to plan for Stribling’s extended absence.

The club made a separate move Wednesday to add another receiver to the active roster, promoting KhaDarel Hodge from the practice squad. Hodge had already appeared in the opener. San Francisco’s announcement paired that promotion with Jake Tonges going on injured reserve and tight end Jack Stoll joining the practice squad; it did not announce Stribling’s placement.