San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling has impressed throughout training camp, proving himself to be a reliable target for quarterback Brock Purdy. In fact, plenty of passes have been thrown Stribling's way because his quarterbacks have developed a high level of confidence in the first-year wideout.

Regularly practicing against your own defense is one thing. Stribling showed Tuesday that he can make plays against a different NFL defense, too, hauling in an estimated seven passes during the 49ers' joint practice with the Tennessee Titans.


"Obviously going up against our guys, it's a starting NFL defense, and he's shown that time and time again," Purdy said on Tuesday. "But it was cool just to switch it up today, go up against different guys that we haven't played against, and see him make plays, and run our offense, and be on time and do his job and things like that. So, it was good.

"I know there were a couple routes that we could still talk about and whatnot, but it fires me up that we have stuff that we can keep getting better at. But he showed a lot of flashes and stuff today, so I was excited about it."

On Thursday night, Stribling could have another opportunity to prove himself when he takes the field for the first time in an NFL game, albeit in a preseason matchup. The 49ers will host the Titans at Levi's Stadium.

Purdy does not doubt that Stribling can excel on any stage.

"He's a really smart dude. He gets the game of football," Purdy said. "Sometimes guys come in, they're talented and stuff, but to understand the speed of the NFL and how defenses operate in the NFL, it can be hard for guys to sort of get with it quick. Eventually, they get there, but Strib has been a guy that has come in and has shown he understands it. He understands leverages, he understands coverages, and our concepts and stuff, and where he needs to be.


"And not only that, the effort and everything too. He's come in and run multiple routes and reps back after back, and then getting in the run game and blocking. So all of that, for me as a quarterback, when I see that, I'm like, 'All right dude, this guy's building my trust with him,' and we've connected and made plays together too.

"And we just have to continue to talk, and be on the same page, and communicate moving forward. But I'm really excited for him. I've said that time and time again. It is preseason and everything, so we'll see once we get to the season, but right now I have a lot of trust in him."

After impressing throughout training camp and making several big plays against the Titans' defense, Stribling is showing why the 49ers selected him with their top draft pick.

"The more he's out there, the more he'll get confident," head coach Kyle Shanahan said. "We truly believe he's made of the right stuff. We know his ability, and now it's about him going through a lot of situations that he hasn't been through. I expect him to fail out a number of times in practice, but he's good enough and made of the right stuff that he'll eventually start getting through it.

"You've seen a lot of those today, and hopefully, we can keep doing that more and more so he's ready in Week 1. And it won't stop there. There'll be ups and downs throughout the whole year, but that's why we try to generate as much as possible in practice."


With Purdy and Shanahan already expressing significant trust in him, Thursday's preseason opener could provide Stribling with another chance to show that he belongs in the 49ers' long-term plans.

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