Mike Evans is still on the sideline for the 49ers, but Kyle Shanahan says the veteran receiver is trending the right way.
Evans will not play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium because of an Achilles injury, and San Francisco is taking the cautious route with him. He has now missed the last two weeks and has not returned to practice yet, though the team is encouraged by how his recovery is moving along.
Before the matchup with Dallas, Shanahan gave a measured but upbeat read on where Evans stands.
“It's been going well. I'm sure if this were the last game or something, he'd be able to go out there.
But we're just trying to make sure it fully heals so it doesn't act up again. But it's going in the right direction,” said Shanahan in a media conference.
That patience makes sense given how important Evans has been when healthy. The 33-year-old was in the middle of a strong season before the injury, posting 27 catches for 420 yards and three touchdowns in six games. He also delivered in key moments, the kind of production that has helped San Francisco squeeze out tough wins.
Kyle Shanahan on Mike Evans:
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) November 13, 2026
“I’m sure if this was the last game or something, he’d be able to go out there. We’re just trying to make sure it fully heals so it doesn’t act up again. But it’s going in the right direction.” pic.twitter.com/0Ixfrh7I65
The 49ers have managed a 1-1 record without him, but there’s no question they look stronger with the six-time Pro Bowler on the field. Still, the bigger picture is what matters here, and the team is clearly focused on keeping him available for the stretch run rather than forcing him back too soon.
Sunday’s game also carries a few other injury notes for San Francisco. Renardo Green, Deommodore Lenior, Dre Greenlaw, and Trent Williams are all listed as questionable against the Cowboys.
The 49ers are also chasing a few milestones. They’re trying to beat Dallas for the fifth straight time, and a win would push them to 8-1 for the first time since 2019, when they went on to reach the Super Bowl.
In Other News...
Cowboys-49ers Suddenly Carries A Travel Problem Dallas Fans Need To Watch
A nationwide FAA ground stoppage on Friday created an unexpected wrinkle for the 49ers as they prepared to head to Dallas for Sundays game against the Cowboys. The pause, triggered by communication issues affecting air traffic control, prevented new flights from taking off and immediately put travel plans around the league under a cloud, including San Franciscos trip for one of the weekends more watched matchups.
Kyle Shanahan said the team is moving ahead with a normal walk-through while waiting on more information from the FAA, which is about as much control as anyone has right now. For a road team trying to stay on schedule before a big NFC test, the timing is less than ideal, and the next update could determine whether the 49ers usual pregame routine gets thrown off before they even reach Dallas. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Rookie Now Faces A Brutal Reality About His First Season
DeZhaun Striblings first NFL season has already taken a harsh turn, with the 49ers rookie wide receiver dealing with a left ankle injury suffered in Week 1 and now expected to be sidelined until at least December. For a young pass catcher trying to carve out a role in San Francisco, the timing could hardly be worse, especially in a system that demands more than just athleticism and raw talent to get on the field.
Deebo Samuel recently pointed out that the 49ers offense takes several weeks for rookies to fully learn, which only adds to the challenge Stribling will face when he finally returns. The recent trade for Keenan Allen also gives San Francisco more flexibility at the position, easing the immediate pressure on Stribling and potentially letting the team treat the rest of this season as a developmental window rather than a deadline. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Sent A Clear Message About Mac Jones At The Deadline
The 49ers made their stance on Mac Jones pretty clear as the trade deadline approached, and it was not the kind of price that invites much bargaining. San Francisco reportedly asked for at least a second-round pick for the backup quarterback, a steep ask that helped keep talks from moving forward with the Vikings and left Jones in place in Santa Clara.
For a team that has spent plenty of time managing quarterback depth and long-term planning, the message was unmistakable: the 49ers still view Jones as much more than a temporary insurance policy. San Francisco also kicked the tires on Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert, but he stayed put in Philadelphia, leaving the deadline without the kind of splash move some around the league may have expected. [Read more 🡒]