Is 49ers training staff to blame for DeZhaun Striblings injury?
He went into the blue tent.He was deemed questionable to return.A short while later, he was back on the field.Now, the San Francisco 49ers will be without De’Zhaun Stribling for an extended period of time.The latest word, from ESPN/NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, is 4-6 weeks with the possibility of surgery if the sprain of the deltoid ligament in his left ankle doesn’t heal on its own.The 33rd overall pick, who had generated so much buzz in the preseason, lasted less than 30 minutes in his NFL debut before he was carted into the tunnel — bitten by the organization’s injury bug.Was it an unavoidable fluke that the first-year receiver’s left leg gave out while breaking on a route, causing him to tumble to the turf in the second quarter, shortly after being examined for an issue with the same ankle, or did he fall victim to a bigger problem?Sometimes the evidence is too loud to ignore.Kyle Shanahan awarded one of the game balls from the Week 1 win over the Rams to the training staff, for helping them adapt to the 17-hour time difference in Australia.
When he takes the podium Wednesday before the Niners regroup for their first practice since getting home, he’s sure to face questions surrounding their role in losing their standout rookie receiver.Maybe the ailment that sent Stribling into the blue tent in the first quarter was unrelated to the one that now could result in his placement on injured reserve.May we also interest you in some waterfront property on the Salton Sea?Stribling hobbled off the field following a second-and-5 run late in the first quarter, attempting to put as little weight as possible on his left ankle.
He went into the injury tent on the 49ers sideline and around the end of the period was ruled questionable to return.By the first play of the second quarter, Stribling was back in the game.And at the 7:34 mark, he went down in a heap, grabbing at the same leg that 49ers trainers examined and deemed fit to return moments earlier.
He ...