San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan offered a measured but sobering assessment of Mike Evans’ lingering Achilles tendonitis on Wednesday, making clear that the 49ers will continue managing the veteran receiver’s workload for the foreseeable future.
Evans sat out the team’s practice session as he recovers from the injury that forced him from Monday night’s 23-17 victory over the Washington Commanders.
While San Francisco has not ruled him out for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, Shanahan’s comments suggested the issue may not resolve quickly.
“We had to manage it last week, we’ll manage it again this week,” Shanahan told reporters. “We’ll see how the rest of the year goes.”
The approach mirrors last week’s plan. Evans did not practice leading up to the Commanders game yet received clearance to play.
He delivered three catches for 94 yards in the first half before aggravating the Achilles on a 16-yard reception late in the second quarter. He left for the locker room and did not return.
Afterward, Shanahan noted the decision had been borderline from the start, acknowledging the staff knew Evans might struggle to finish the contest.
That early exit exposed vulnerabilities in the 49ers’ offense. With Evans on the field, San Francisco averaged 9.3 yards per play; without him, the figure fell to 4.5.
The Commanders responded by blitzing Brock Purdy on 70 percent of his second-half dropbacks, and the 49ers’ final three possessions netted just seven yards with no first downs.
Through six games Evans has recorded 27 receptions for 420 yards and three touchdowns, leading the team in receiving yards.
His availability therefore carries outsized weight, especially with Deebo Samuel Sr. also sidelined Monday and Christian Kirk still working his way back from injured reserve.
The 49ers enter the Falcons matchup undefeated at 6-0, which gives the coaching staff some flexibility. Resting Evans against Atlanta would provide extra recovery time ahead of the team’s Week 8 bye before they return in Week 9.
That remains an option rather than a stated plan. For now, his participation Thursday and Friday, followed by the official game designation, will offer the clearest signal of whether Purdy’s top target will be available.
Shanahan’s latest remarks indicate the organization is prepared to monitor the Achilles closely rather than expect a swift return to full health.
