The 49ers got a little bit of good news and a little bit of bad news on the injury front as they head into Week 4.
San Francisco, sitting at 3-0 and on top of the NFC West, is waiting on the status of Mike Evans, Nick Bosa and Trent Williams after all three were banged up in the Week 3 win. On KNBR radio, 49ers general manager John Lynch offered the latest, and the picture came back mixed.
Cam Inman shared Lynch’s comments on Twitter/x, starting with Evans, who appears to have at least a fighting chance to play.
"49ers GM John Lynch injury updates via KNBR: Mike Evans: TBD. 'He is old school in his mindset and he doesn't want to miss... Mike will make every attempt and we'll see where that goes,'" Inman shared.
That’s not a clean bill of health, but it does leave the door open for Evans to get on the field this weekend. Lynch didn’t sound overly pessimistic, and the veteran receiver’s mindset seems to be working in his favor.
Bosa’s situation sounds more troubling.
"Bosa: Unlikely. 'Doing well ... Calf injuries are sometimes murky,' Trent [Williams]: May practice today," Inman shared.
Of the three updates, that one carries the most concern. Lynch’s wording points to Bosa being a long shot for Week 4, even if there’s still some uncertainty because of the nature of calf injuries.
Williams, meanwhile, got the most encouraging note, even if it came with a bit of caution.
Lynch said Williams may practice today, which at least suggests progress. It’s still not a firm answer, but for a player of Williams’ importance, getting on the practice field would be a positive sign as the 49ers try to navigate another week with key pieces in flux.
So the 49ers are left with a familiar injury balancing act: some hope with Evans, concern with Bosa, and a cautiously optimistic update on Williams.
In Other News...
49ers Suddenly Have A Jauan Jennings Decision They Never Wanted
Jauan Jennings ended up moving on after he and the 49ers could not reach a long-term agreement, and the former San Francisco receiver signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. For a team that already had to navigate injuries at wideout, the timing was hardly ideal. The 49ers responded by drafting DeZhaun Stribling to help fill the vacancy, but the position has still looked more precarious than planned.
Now the wrinkle the 49ers never wanted is hanging out there anyway: the possibility of a Jennings reunion. There has been speculation about it, even if no official trade talks have been confirmed, and that leaves San Francisco weighing a familiar name against the path it already started down with its younger options. The situation is exactly the kind of midseason personnel question teams try to avoid, especially when the original departure was supposed to settle things, not reopen them. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Are Making A Risky Nick Bosa Decision For A Reason
Nick Bosa and James Thompson are both expected to be sidelined for at least four games, but the 49ers are not planning to place either defender on injured reserve. It is a notable choice for a team already working through a crowded injury situation, especially with eight players currently on IR who are designated to return, which is the most the NFL allows.
For San Francisco, the move keeps the door open on roster flexibility while it manages a stretch shaped by injuries across the defense and beyond. The status of the current IR group already gives the team plenty to monitor in the weeks ahead, and holding Bosa and Thompson off IR adds another layer to a situation that will keep evolving as those return timelines come into focus. [Read more 🡒]
49ers May Need A Bigger Pass-Rush Move Than Fans Expected
The 49ers edge rush has become one of the more pressing issues on a roster that usually builds its identity around pressure up front. With Nick Bosa dealing with injury and the rest of the group providing limited production, San Francisco may be staring at a need that goes beyond the usual depth fix, especially if it wants to keep the defense operating at its usual level.
One name that has surfaced is Khalil Mack, with Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report suggesting the Chargers could be open to moving the veteran pass rusher. Mack still carries the rsum of a multiple-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, but his one-year deal and looming free agency make him a player with an uncertain future, and for the 49ers the bigger question may be whether a move of that magnitude is the kind of swing their pass rush now requires. [Read more 🡒]