San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans is questionable with a rib injury and will be a game-time decision Sunday against the Denver Broncos, coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday.
Evans left last week’s win over Arizona after turning to run a route in the second quarter. “Felt like somebody stabbed me in my chest,” he told reporters. He said the injury might have stemmed from an earlier hit by Cardinals safety Budda Baker but didn’t feel anything until the turn, per ESPN.
What the 49ers said about Evans’ status
Evans was a limited participant in Friday’s practice after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. Shanahan labeled him questionable rather than ruling him out, and Evans made clear he intends to push to suit up. “If it’s something I can play through, I want to be there for my team the best I can,” he told reporters, according to FOX Sports.
Evans plans to wear a compression shirt with built-in padding to protect his ribs. He said he won’t use a flak jacket because it “looks kind of weak” and is more for quarterbacks, according to Yahoo Sports.t use a flak jacket because it “looks kind of weak” and is typically for quarterbacks, according to Yahoo Sports.
Who replaces Evans if he sits
San Francisco promoted veteran receiver Brandin Cooks to the active roster this week as insurance, according to FOX Sports. Cooks had been signed to the practice squad last week and is still getting acclimated to the offense. “He’s had a good two weeks,” Shanahan said.
“Came in last week right away, learning the stuff. I thought it was good last week and even better this week the more comfortable he gets.”
Shanahan does not expect receiver Christian Kirk to be activated off injured reserve next week when he becomes eligible to return from a calf injury, though Week 6 remains possible, per FOX Sports.
Mike Evans injury status and season role
Evans has 12 catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns in his first season with San Francisco. He has played through a rib injury before, logging five catches for 54 yards in a 21-16 win over Seattle in November 2022 while with Tampa Bay, according to ESPN. “It was brutal to play through,” Evans said. “But it’s something that I can do.”
Shanahan, who broke three ribs in a car accident in July, said he sympathizes with what Evans is going through. “I would be out without a doubt,” Shanahan said, laughing. “But he’s definitely a lot tougher than me. So, hopefully we’ve got a shot.”
What’s next
San Francisco hosts Denver on Sunday, with Evans’ status expected to remain unclear until closer to kickoff. The 49ers also ruled out defensive linemen Nick Bosa, James Thompson Jr. and Mykel Williams for the game, according to Yahoo Sports. A final update on Evans and the rest of the questionable list should come with the team’s pregame inactives report.
Reporting from FOX Sports, ESPN, Yahoo Sports and CBS Sports contributed to this story.
