49ers Hopeful Mike Evans Avoids Long Absence

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco wide receiver Mike Evans sat out the second half of Monday night’s 23-17 win over Washington after his Achilles tendinitis flared up, though the 49ers do not believe the problem will keep him out for long.

Evans had been limited by the same issue all week and did not practice before the game, and he was listed as questionable before being cleared to play. He had already been playing through two broken ribs he has carried since Week 3. Coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that no further tests are planned and that the team hopes Evans can be ready for Sunday’s game at Atlanta. If not, San Francisco has its bye the following week.

Before leaving, Evans caught three passes for 94 yards, including a 24-yard grab on the third snap of the night that set up the opening touchdown. His last catch was a 16-yarder late in the second quarter, after which he limped off and went to the locker room. The 33-year-old, in his first year with the 49ers after 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons to open his career in Tampa Bay, now has three touchdowns this season to go with 420 receiving yards on 27 receptions.

His exit came with the receiver room already thin. Christian Kirk, Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson and De’Zhaun Stribling were all unavailable, though Kirk could be back next week. The offense showed the difference, piling up 303 yards and a 20-3 halftime lead before being held to 72 yards in the second half.

Linebacker Luke Gifford left with a groin injury and nickel corner Upton Stout hurt his shoulder. The win still moved San Francisco to 6-0, its best opening since an 8-0 start in 2019, a season that ended in the Super Bowl. Brock Purdy finished 21 of 29 for 264 yards and, after crossing the 1,500-attempt minimum, now owns the highest career passer rating in league history at 105.6. Washington fell to 1-4-1 and lost Terry McLaurin to what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

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