The 49ers may be heading into Sunday’s showdown with Seattle without one of their most important weapons. Mike Evans did not practice on Thursday after being listed as limited on Wednesday, according to Seahawks reporter John Boyle, and that suddenly puts his status for the divisional matchup at Lumen Field in real doubt.
Evans is dealing with a ribs injury, but until this latest setback there was little reason to believe he might miss the game. The 33-year-old has already played through pain this season, and there is still a path for him to suit up in a game that carries first place in the NFC West. If that happens, though, he’ll likely need to get back on the field Friday.
Even with numbers that look relatively modest - 17 catches for 213 yards and two touchdowns through four games - Evans has made a clear difference for San Francisco’s offense. He gives Brock Purdy and company the big, dependable target they’ve been missing, especially when a drive gets tight and a conversion has to be made. That’s the role Evans was built for, but only if his body holds up.
The concern comes with the bigger picture, too. Evans turned 33 in August and has dealt with more injury trouble over the past couple of seasons. San Francisco has spent plenty of time trying to keep its top players available, and preserving a future Hall of Famer matters even more as the season moves into its most important stretch.
Still, Sunday’s game looms large in its own right. The 49ers are eager to see how they stack up against the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks after last postseason’s 41-6 loss, and this one has real weight attached to it. Evans will try to get back on the field Friday and keep himself in line to play.
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Seahawks Get Timely Injury Relief As 49ers Enter Sunday Shorthanded
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Leonard Williams Gives Seahawks A Crucial 49ers Injury Test
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Mike Macdonald sounded encouraged that Williams has a real chance to be available for the 49ers matchup, and that kind of update matters this time of year when every practice rep is scrutinized. The weeks injury report still includes several moving parts on both sides, but Williams status is the one Seattle will keep watching most closely as the game approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Suddenly Have A Week 5 RB Problem They Can't Ignore
The Seahawks went into the week trying to shore up their backfield, and the plan hit a snag when the teams attempted addition of Joe Mixon fell apart after he failed his physical. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald confirmed the signing did not work out, leaving Seattle to keep leaning on Emanuel Wilson and George Holani while the offense waits for more help at running back.
Zach Charbonnets recovery offers some relief on the horizon, with his return expected in the coming weeks, but the current setup leaves the Seahawks with a real Week 5 concern if the rotation has to hold up any longer. For now, the backfield remains thin, and the failed Mixon move only underscores how quickly a depth issue can become something the team cant afford to ignore. [Read more 🡒]