The 49ers will head into their Week 7 matchup with the Falcons short two of their biggest names.
Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel have both been ruled out for Sunday’s game in Atlanta, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Schefter wrote, “49ers ruled out Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel for Sunday's game in Atlanta,” confirming that neither receiver will be available as San Francisco tries to stay unbeaten.
For Evans, the absence marks his first missed game of the season. The 33-year-old is dealing with Achilles soreness after hurting it in the 49ers’ 23-17 Week 6 win over the Washington Commanders. He has already battled through a rib injury earlier in the year, but this latest setback will force him to sit before returning down the line.
Even with the injuries, Evans has delivered big numbers in his first season with the 49ers. Through six games, he has 27 catches for 420 yards and three touchdowns. His 70.0 yards per game has him on track to clear 1,100 yards.
Samuel’s absence will stretch to a second straight game. The eight-year veteran picked up a hamstring injury in the 49ers’ 32-29 Week 5 win over the Seattle Seahawks and sat out Week 6 as well. He looks like he needs another week to recover before he can get back on the field.
When healthy, Samuel has been productive in five games this season. He has 16 receptions for 206 yards and three touchdowns on 20 targets, and he has filled in nicely for the offense since rookie De’Zhaun Stribling was placed on the IR.
In Other News...
Nick Bosa Return Hope Just Got Very Real For 49ers Defense
Nick Bosas absence has been one of the biggest storylines hanging over the 49ers defense, and the latest signs are encouraging enough to keep the conversation going. Since the calf injury knocked him out in late September, San Francisco has had to manage without one of its most disruptive players, and the idea of getting him back has obvious appeal for a unit that feeds off edge pressure and game-changing plays.
There is real optimism around Bosas comeback, but the 49ers still do not have an official confirmation on when he will be ready to go. The timing matters because a return in early November would give San Francisco a major boost right as the season starts to tighten, and the defense is clearly watching this one closely. [Read more 🡒]
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John Lynch pointed to a broader mix of reasons for the surge, from Raheem Morris influence on the defense to Chris Kiffins work with the line and the impact of added bodies up front. Osa Odighizuwa and Keion White have been part of that shift, while rookies Gracen Halton and Romello Height have also been pulled into the rotation as the 49ers have tried to keep the rush fresh despite injuries to Nick Bosa and Mykell Williams. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Suddenly Have Real Freedom To Go All In
A strong start has left the 49ers in an enviable spot heading into the trade deadline, with the kind of flexibility that can change the shape of a season in a hurry. Between a healthy amount of salary-cap room and a roster built around veterans who are not getting any younger, San Francisco has every reason to treat this moment like a real window, not a passing opportunity.
What makes the situation even more interesting is how much draft capital the 49ers still have available to work with, which gives them room to chase help without stripping away the future. No move has surfaced yet, but that combination of urgency, resources and ambition is exactly why San Francisco is expected to be active if the right deal comes along. [Read more 🡒]