Mike Evans’ Week 1 status looks much better for the 49ers than it did just a few days ago.
The veteran wideout has been battling injuries throughout training camp, and that had put some doubt around whether he’d be ready for San Francisco’s season opener on Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Rams. Evans missed Tuesday’s practice and also exited a 49ers joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers early last week, which only added to the concern.
Now, though, the outlook is trending in the right direction. “49ers wide receiver Mike Evans plans to play Week 1 despite dealing with injuries this camp, per source. His latest, a groin issue, is considered minor barring a change,” Jeremy Fowler of ESPN shared via a social media post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
That’s welcome news for a player who is expected to be one of the biggest names to watch for San Francisco in 2026. It’s also a notable moment for Evans personally, since this will be the first time the former Texas A&M Aggies star has suited up for a team other than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since entering the league more than a decade ago.
The 49ers still have time before facing the Rams, so there’s no need to force anything with Evans just yet. San Francisco is also set to fly to Australia next week, which adds another wrinkle to the calendar as the opener approaches.
The 33-year-old joined the 49ers in March on a three-year, $42.4 million deal after playing in only eight games in 2025. In that stretch, he posted 368 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 30 catches and 62 targets.
In Other News...
49ers Leave Camp With One Worry Fans Can't Ignore
The 49ers wrapped up preseason work with a practice that looked less like a final tune-up and more like a reminder of how much of camp was spent managing bodies. Twenty-three players were out because of injury, and the list included some of the names San Francisco can least afford to lose, from Nick Bosa to Mykel Williams to George Kittle. Even with a few encouraging moments scattered through camp, the biggest takeaway was hard to miss: the roster has been tested before the games even start.
Now the question is less about how much talent the 49ers have and more about how available that talent will be when the schedule turns real. An early slate that already looks difficult becomes even more demanding if the club has to lean on depth before it is fully settled, and the uncertainty around several important players only adds to that concern. San Francisco has enough proven pieces to feel good about its ceiling, but the health picture leaves a lingering worry that fans will be watching closely right away. [Read more 🡒]
Kyle Shanahan Just Cast Doubt On A 49ers Rookie's Hot Start
DeZhaun Stribling has been one of the quieter preseason bright spots around the 49ers, piling up 11 catches for 109 yards over the first two games and drawing plenty of attention in camp. For a rookie trying to carve out a role, that kind of early production usually helps, especially on a roster that is always looking for cost-controlled depth and young receiving talent.
Kyle Shanahan, though, seemed eager to temper the buzz. The 49ers coach pointed to the looks Stribling has been getting and said the team had hoped to ease him in even more because of another players injury, stressing a preference for gradual growth rather than a sudden leap into a major role. For now, the question is less about whether Stribling has flashed and more about how much of that flash San Francisco believes will carry once the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Could Be Waiting On A Serious Jed York Decision
The NFL is taking a closer look at Jed York after the 49ers owners recent arrest in Ohio, with Commissioner Roger Goodell saying the league is reviewing the matter under its personal conduct policy. York was arrested after an undercover operation tied to prostitution charges, and the case ended with a no contest plea to disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools.
York has already served the criminal side of the issue, receiving a one-day jail sentence, a fine and completing an online course, but the leagues next move remains unsettled. For San Francisco, the uncertainty now shifts to whether the NFL will add its own discipline for an owner whose off-field trouble has suddenly become part of the teams broader picture. [Read more 🡒]