Mike Evans is set to miss his first game with the San Francisco 49ers.
After playing through a ribs injury for much of the season’s first six weeks – and Achilles soreness for the first half of Monday’s win over the Washington Commanders – the 33-year-old wide receiver was ruled out for Sunday’s bout against the Atlanta Falcons due to an Achilles injury.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday night that Evans, who has 27 catches for 420 yards and three touchdowns in 2026, has Achilles tendinitis. Shanahan called it a flare-up after the game and said he does not expect it to be a “long-term thing.”
Evans did not practice this week. It’s unclear whether his absence will extend beyond the 49ers’ upcoming bye week.
A report from Ian Rapoport earlier this week indicated Evans will have to manage this injury “for the better part of the season.” Asked about the report, Shanahan said he did not know whether that was the case.
“We had to manage it last week and we’re managing it this week,” Shanahan said Wednesday. “So we’ll see how the rest of the year goes.”
“You don’t know if you have to manage him the whole year?” a reporter followed up.
“No.”
Bosa’s odd case:Defensive end Nick Bosa (calf) was also ruled out for Sunday, which is no surprise considering he did not practice this week. Slightly more surprising, though, was Shanahan’s choice of words on Friday.
Two weeks ago, Bosa expressed optimism regarding his chances of returning before the bye week. If it wasn’t against the Commanders, he said, it would almost certainly come against Atlanta in Week 7.
When Bosa was ruled out for the Washington game, Shanahan said the 49ers would have been surprised if the All-Pro edge rusher could play. But he thought there was a chance, and he was “pleasantly surprised” that he was that optimistic. “Another week will help,” Shanahan said at the time, suggesting a possible return for Week 7.
On Friday, Shanahan shifted his tone.
“I just think he was a little too optimistic, especially for Bosa because he’s pretty accurate,” Shanahan said when asked whether he is being held out Sunday out to an abundance of caution. “He doesn’t say stuff like that unless it’s accurate.
“He worked out after he said that to you guys (Oct. 9), and the next day he was just a little sore, which surprised all of us. That wasn’t a great sign, especially going to play on turf and stuff this week, so I think it was more he was just a little too optimistic.”
Bosa has not been spotted at practice since suffering his calf injury in late September. Sunday will mark his fifth straight absence.
Briefly:The 49ers released defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo on Friday for the second time in three weeks, likely to clear a roster spot for wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf), who is questionable for Sunday and logged three full practices. … Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring), safety Marques Sigle (ankle), linebacker Garret Wallow (hamstring) and linebacker Luke Gifford (groin) were also ruled out for Sunday. … Nickel cornerback Upton Stout (shoulder) and safety Siran Neal (knee), in addition to Kirk, are questionable. … Defensive end Mykel Williams (knee) has no injury designation.
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This article originally published at 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans ruled out against Atlanta with Achilles tendinitis.