Barrows believes San Francisco’s plan is for Stribling to serve as its primary slot receiver while also backing up Mike Evans at the X position.

Christian Kirk will begin the season on injured reserve with a calf injury, while Ricky Pearsall has already been ruled out for the year. Stribling is expected to be available for Week 1 after missing the preseason finale with a minor shoulder injury.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, George Kittle

A primary slot role would provide Stribling with a cleaner path to immediate targets than San Francisco’s crowded receiver depth chart initially suggested. Samuel’s presence still creates uncertainty regarding personnel packages and manufactured touches, but Stribling appears positioned to play meaningful snaps immediately.

De’Zhaun Stribling caught seven of eight targets for 63 yards against Tennessee, including three receptions on third down. The rookie said he began clicking with the offense once he settled into the game.

Related Players: Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Christian Kirk, Jacob Cowing

Stribling’s volume was particularly encouraging after he had already generated positive reports throughout camp. San Francisco has several established receivers ahead of him, but it would be an understatement to say that they are on the "aging" side of things, so strengthening an immediate rotational role makes him an increasingly interesting late-round target.

With concern about the status of receiver Ricky Pearsall's injured right knee, the San Francisco 49ers are turning to a familiar face, bringing back wideout Deebo Samuel to the place where he began his career. Sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Thursday night that the 49ers and Samuel reached agreement on a one-year deal that could be worth up to $7 million.

Related Players: Mike Evans, George Kittle, Christian Kirk, De'Zhaun Stribling, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing

With Kirk (calf) also on the sideline throughout training camp, this signing quickly quelches the flames of the Stribling buzz we've seen over the last couple of days.

If you were looking for the perfect landing spot for a Deebo Samuel bounce-back after a mediocre one-year stint with the Commanders, this is the one. With 49ers injuries at the running back position as well as the WR room, Samuel could add a handful of rushes into the mix as well. That doesn't make him a WR2 all of a sudden, but he's still an intriguing dart throw, depending on where his ADP ends up after this signing.

49ers WR Ricky Pearsall is dealing with knee swelling related to the PCL injury he suffered last year. Team says “all options” are being explored and there is some concern.

Related Players: Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, Demarcus Robinson, De'Zhaun Stribling

Pearsall has flashed when healthy and on the field, but that hasn't been a very common occurrence through his young career. Kirk is also dealing with a calf strain at the moment, so we could see some upward momentum for rookie De'Zhaun Stribing before camp is over. He's currently off the redraft fantasy radar, but we should keep an eye on some extra snaps for him over the next month.

49ers rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling is making a positive early impression on a very important teammate.

“Dude is a baller, and I mean that,” Purdy said on KNBR, via 49ersWebzone.com. “It’s hard to say that for a rookie, right off the jump, but just seeing him run routes, going up against defenders in OTAs and then in camp yesterday. He’s a great route runner. He’s smart. He’s learned the playbook really quick, which is awesome. And then, on top of that, you can see his strength, too. When he’s going up against guys and creating separation, I’m like, ‘Alright, this guy’s a strong receiver.’ And so, I’m excited to see what he does, but all of us, all the quarterbacks in the room, were like, ‘Alright, this guy’s going to be a guy that’s going to come in and play.’”

Related players: Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk, Demarcus Robinson

As the story points out, Stribling joined the 49ers with the top pick of the second round and the selection drew some negative reviews because of who else was available at that point in the draft. Purdy seems impressed with the rookie but Stribling will have some spots to climb on the depth chart. However, Evans is coming off a year where he had hamstring issues and Kirk is already dealing with a calf sprain. So there certainly seems to be a path toward playing time for Stribling.

Texans Nico Collins returns to practice as he enters next phase of concussion protocol. Christian Kirk back too

Related Players: Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins

Well, the waiver wire thirst for Texans receivers seems like a lost cause as it stands, as all three of Week 8's receivers will go back to desperation dart-throw territory if both of the vets return this weekend. Plug Collins back in as a solid WR2, even in a tough matchup, if he suits up.

The Texans ruled out WRs Nico Collins and Christian Kirk for Sunday vs. San Francisco.

Related Players: Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins, Xavier Hutchinson, Braxton Berrios

It looks like Houston is going to have to feature their two rookie WRs, whether they like it or not. We don't have to like it in fantasy, though, and there are better WR rooms to attack in Week 8.

Texans WR Nico Collins (concussion protocol) & WR Christian Kirk (hamstring) are both NOT practicing.

Related Players: Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins, Xavier Hutchinson, Braxton Berrios

Nobody outside of the Texans' opponents wants to watch this offense without Nico Collins on the field, so let's hope he can log some practice time before the weekend. If both Collins and Kirk end up missing, either of the rookies (Noel/Higgins) would make for fine desperation WR4s.

Houston Texans wideout Nico Collins suffered a concussion during a 27-19 loss Monday to the Seattle Seahawks, according to coach DeMeco Ryans.

"We'll evaluate him as the week goes on," Ryans said.

Related players: Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins, Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel

The trend has been for players to miss at least a week after a concussion, so Collins owners will want to be sure to follow his progress. The Texans host the 49ers in an earlier Sunday game and considering there are also six teams on byes this week, now is the time for a plan just in case Collins is out for Week 8.

Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. (wrist) is off the injury report and good to go Sunday.

Meanwhile, Texans WRs Christian Kirk (hamstring) and Braxton Berrios (hamstring) are both off the injury report and set to make their season debuts.

Related Players: Travis Hunter, Dyami Brown, Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson, Jayden Higgins

Brian Thomas should continue to be slotted in as a fringe WR1/2 play, with Christian Kirk is much further down the list as a WR4/5 as the ball continues to be spread around behind Collins.