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49ers Depth Chart: Pearsall Out, Deebo Back, Stribling Sidelined

The San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver depth is in flux after Ricky Pearsall's season-ending knee surgery, Christian Kirk's calf injury, and rookie De'Zhaun Stribling's hamstring tightness. The team signed Deebo Samuel on Friday to stabilize the group, while Stribling's stock had been rising before his setback.

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49ers Depth Chart: Pearsall Out, Deebo Back, Stribling Sidelined

49ers Depth Chart: Pearsall Out, Deebo Back, Stribling Sidelined

The short answer

The 49ers' wide receiver depth chart has become a training camp storyline because of a rapid string of injuries and a roster move. CBS Sports reports that rookie De'Zhaun Stribling will miss Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness, though the team calls it precautionary and not a strain. That news follows Ricky Pearsall being set for season-ending PCL surgery and Christian Kirk dealing with a calf issue. To offset the losses, the 49ers signed veteran Deebo Samuel on Friday to solidify the position group. Before his hamstring issue, Stribling was named the biggest winner of training camp so far by Sports Illustrated, because injuries to Kirk and Pearsall cleared a path for him to see the field. Niner Noise similarly notes that Stribling, a 2026 second-round pick from Ole Miss, has a straight path to immediate relevance — but warns that Brock Purdy's once-loaded arsenal of weapons now has only two healthy players among Evans, Kittle, Pearsall, Kirk and Stribling. Stribling's absence is precautionary, per CBS Sports, meaning his opportunity isn't gone. Once healthy, he should earn snaps alongside Samuel, Mike Evans and Kirk. For now, the 49ers' depth chart at receiver is a daily watch item.

Why it's trending

The trigger is a 48-hour stretch of roster moves and injury reports: Ricky Pearsall's season-ending PCL surgery, Deebo Samuel's Friday signing, and De'Zhaun Stribling's hamstring tightness reported Saturday. Fans searching '49ers depth chart' want to know who is healthy and who moves up in the receiving rotation.

The 49ers' receiver depth chart is the NFL's latest camp drama. CBS Sports reports that rookie wideout De'Zhaun Stribling will not participate in Saturday's practice due to hamstring tightness, described as precautionary rather than a strain. This comes just after Ricky Pearsall was set for season-ending surgery to repair the PCL in his right knee, and with Christian Kirk still dealing with a calf issue. On Friday, San Francisco signed Deebo Samuel to help stabilize the group.

Sports Illustrated and Niner Noise both identify Stribling as the primary beneficiary of the injuries. SI says he was the biggest winner of training camp before the hamstring tightness, with Kirk and Pearsall's absences opening a path to a big early-season role. Niner Noise agrees, calling the 2026 second-round pick from Ole Miss a player with a straight path to immediate relevance. However, Niner Noise also notes that of the five expected pass-catchers — Mike Evans, George Kittle, Pearsall, Kirk and Stribling — only two are currently healthy, making Purdy's job harder.

The timeline moved quickly: less than a week into camp, Pearsall's PCL complications emerged, per Niner Noise. Kirk has been absent with a calf, per CBS Sports. Deebo Samuel was signed Friday, and then Stribling was scratched Saturday. CBS Sports emphasizes that Stribling's hamstring issue is tightness, not a strain, so his absence is precautionary.

The broader implication is that the 49ers' offense will look different than expected in Week 1. If Stribling returns quickly, he could still capitalize on the opportunity; if not, Samuel and Evans become the top targets, with Kittle as the safety valve. Keep an eye on Kirk's calf and Stribling's hamstring as camp continues — the depth chart is far from settled.

Timeline

  1. Pearsall pops up on injury report

    Ricky Pearsall's PCL complications emerge, leading to concerns about his availability, per Niner Noise.

  2. 49ers sign Deebo Samuel

    CBS Sports reports Samuel was signed to solidify the team's depth at wideout in Pearsall's absence.

  3. Stribling sits out practice

    Rookie De'Zhaun Stribling is held out due to hamstring tightness — described as precautionary, not a strain, per CBS Sports.

  4. Christian Kirk remains sidelined

    Kirk is dealing with a calf injury and has been absent from camp, per CBS Sports and Niner Noise.

Questions people ask

Who is De'Zhaun Stribling?

Stribling is a rookie wide receiver and 2026 second-round pick from Ole Miss, per Niner Noise. Sports Illustrated says he was the biggest winner of training camp before his hamstring tightness, with injuries to Kirk and Pearsall clearing a path to playing time.

Why is the 49ers depth chart suddenly trending?

A rapid sequence of receiver injuries — Pearsall's PCL surgery, Kirk's calf, Stribling's hamstring — plus the Friday signing of Deebo Samuel has reshaped the position group overnight, per CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated and Niner Noise.

Will Stribling's injury cost him his roster opportunity?

CBS Sports reports Saturday's absence is precautionary, as he's dealing with tightness rather than a strain. When healthy, he'll have chances to earn a consistent role alongside Samuel, Mike Evans and Christian Kirk.

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