NFC West-leading 49ers ‘managing’ star WR Mike Evans’ Achilles injury

Evans was unavailable for practice on Wednesday after leaving the previous game late in the first half because of tendinitis in his Achilles tendon.

BY JOSH DUBOW, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Oct 22, 2026, 11:26 AM

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Mike Evans San Francisco 49ers Achilles injury...

Mike Evans of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the Washington Commanders on Oct. 19, 2026. (Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

(Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers star receiver Mike Evans was unavailable for practice on Wednesday after leaving the previous game late in the first half because of tendinitis in his Achilles tendon.

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Evans missed all three practices leading up to last Monday’s 23-17 win against the Washington Commanders before coming up limping after a catch late in the first half. He didn’t return to the game and his status for this week’s game against Atlanta remains in question with coach Kyle Shanahan saying he didn’t know how long the issue will impact Evans’ ability to practice or play.

“We had to manage it last week and we’re managing it this week,” Shanahan said. “So, we’ll see how the rest of the year goes.”

Evans had three catches for 94 yards in the first half before leaving the game after a 16-yard catch late in the second quarter. Evans limped off the field and was seen trying to stretch out his lower leg in the tunnel before going back to the locker room.

He didn’t return for the second half and was ruled out for the game. The 49ers are already missing several receivers with Ricky Pearsall, De’Zhaun Stribling, Deebo Samuel, Demarcus Robinson and Christian Kirk all sidelined. Kirk could return as soon as next week.

After gaining 303 yards and 17 first downs on the way to a 20-3 halftime lead, San Francisco was held to 72 yards and three first downs in the second as the defense held on for the win. But Shanahan said the change that included three straight three-and-outs to end the game wasn’t about losing Evans.

“We had a sack on two plays,” he said. “Didn’t have to do with Mike on those two plays. So, we had two three-and-outs and then didn’t get the ball again until a minute and a half left … where we did three straight run plays. I think if we would’ve moved the chains and got a first down, we might’ve had more to that answer, but we went three-and-out twice.”

The 33-year-old Evans has been a key part of the 49ers’ offense in his first season in San Francisco. He has 27 catches for 420 yards and three touchdowns despite dealing with the broken ribs since Week 3.

Evans is a six-time Pro Bowler and topped 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first 11 seasons in the NFL with Tampa Bay. He was held to just 368 yards last season when he was limited to eight games because of injuries.

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