The 49ers’ Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals came with a brutal cost, because San Francisco added another wave of injuries to an already battered roster.
As the home side stretched its lead, several core players were knocked out of the game, giving the 49ers yet another reminder of how thin their margin has become this season. The list only got longer from there.
Mike Evans was the first major concern. The wide receiver had to be carted off after sustaining a ribs injury, and he was clearly in serious pain as he made his way off the field. He was later diagnosed with a rib strain and will need further evaluation after the game.
Status alert: Mike Evans carted to locker room Sunday. pic.twitter.com/K67BPyfFhV
- Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) September 27, 2026
Not long after that, left tackle Trent Williams also required medical attention. Williams was carted to the locker room and listed as questionable to return after suffering a stinger. The injury appeared to happen on a Christian McCaffrey rushing touchdown.
CMC FOR TAKEOFF 🚀
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/3cEB6c9lv1
- San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 27, 2026
The injuries kept coming on defense, where cornerback Deommodore Lenoir was pulled for a concussion evaluation. That forced him out for the rest of the game, and he would also enter concussion protocol.
Those setbacks only added to a season that has already been packed with injury trouble for San Francisco. The 49ers have previously seen Ricky Pearsall, D'Zhaun Stribling and Nick Bosa go down with injuries that will keep them sidelined for different stretches of time.
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San Franciscos need at the position has only grown with the recent rib injury to Mike Evans adding to the teams already banged-up receiving group. Hill has naturally become a name to watch, but for now the interest remains just that, with no official contact or deal reported as the 49ers and other teams monitor his recovery. [Read more 🡒]
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The next step in evaluating just how real this run is may come this week, when the 49ers face the Broncos. Some of Purdys early opponents have not exactly presented elite defenses, so Denver offers a different kind of measuring stick for San Franciscos offense and its quarterback, who will be asked to keep the same rhythm against a sturdier test. [Read more 🡒]