49ers receiver Mike Evans ruled out for Week 9 with Achilles injury
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The gist
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders with an Achilles injury.
The 33-year-old's absence leaves the 49ers thin at receiver against Las Vegas.
Background
Mike Evans is a San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, No. 5, who spent most of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recording at least 1,000 yards in each of his first 11 seasons before joining the 49ers in the 2026 offseason. Through five games he had 24 catches for 326 yards and three touchdowns, much of it while nursing broken ribs. He first left a game with an Achilles tendon injury in October and missed Week 7 with Achilles tendinitis; after the 49ers' Week 8 bye, he did not practice and was ruled out for Week 9.
How it unfolded
- Mar 12, 2026Evans held an introductory press conference in Santa Clara, Calif., after joining the 49ers, saying "I feel like they were one piece away, and I'm that piece."
- Oct 19, 2026Evans left the 49ers' 23-17 Monday Night Football win over the Washington Commanders just ahead of halftime with an Achilles tendon injury, after 3 catches for a game-high 94 yards.
- Oct 20, 2026A report said Evans avoided a long-term Achilles injury, but his status for the Week 7 game in Atlanta was in doubt.
- Nov 4, 2026Evans did not practice Wednesday after the 49ers' Week 8 bye and was viewed as questionable for Week 9 against the Raiders.
- Nov 5, 2026General manager John Lynch, on KNBR, said it was "probably unlikely" Evans returns for Week 9 against the Raiders.
- Nov 6, 2026Evans did not participate in the portion of Friday's practice open to the media, and coach Kyle Shanahan said he was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Key terms
- Achilles
- The thickest tendon in the human body, at the back of the lower leg, connecting calf muscles to the heel bone.
- Achilles tendinitis
- Soreness and irritation of the Achilles tendon, with pain and swelling at the back of the ankle.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Official
- General manager John Lynch said it is "probably unlikely" Evans plays in Week 9, referencing Christian McCaffrey's past issues with a similar injury and saying the 49ers "don't want it to become something that really lingers."
- Caution
- Fantasy Footballers said Evans' status for Sunday was in "serious doubt" and his return "may have to wait until Week 10," though he has been known to play despite logging DNPs.
Still unverified
FantasyPros expert note said Evans "could easily miss Week 9"; Fantasy Footballers said his return "may have to wait until Week 10."