The San Francisco 49ers’ 35-13 victory over Miami on Sunday came with another familiar wave of concern for 49ers fans, as veteran wide receiver Mike Evans left in the second half with a hip injury and did not return.
Video of the play circulated quickly, and social media filled with the usual mix of worry and resignation. After all, this is a team that has already spent much of the young season managing a depleted receiving corps.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan offered a measured — and overall positive — update afterward.
“No it didn’t (seem like a serious injury),” Shanahan said, via 95.7 The Game. “It can always change tomorrow, but he would’ve (played) if the game was different. I think he would’ve been able to come back in.”
The caution is understandable. Evans is 33 and missed nine games last season with hamstring, shoulder, and groin issues.
The 49ers already lost Ricky Pearsall for the year after MCL surgery and expect rookie De’Zhaun Stribling to miss 10 to 12 weeks with a torn deltoid.
If Evans were sidelined for any length of time, the remaining group of Deebo Samuel, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, and KhaDarel Hodge would have to carry a much heavier load.
Through two game,s those players have combined for only 15 receptions, 181 yards, and two touchdowns.
Robinson himself left Sunday’s game and did not return. Shanahan sounded less optimistic there, saying it looked most likely like a high-ankle sprain. Cornerback Jack Jones (foot) and defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. (ankle) also exited and stayed out, while rookie edge rusher Romello Height left with a hand injury but was able to come back.
The 49ers cannot afford many more absences. They already lost defensive tackle Alfred Collins for the season to a torn patellar tendon suffered in practice before he ever played a regular-season snap.
Tight end Jake Tonges tore an MCL in the opener and is done for the year.
Last year’s first-round pick Mykel Williams remains on the physically unable to perform list after an ACL tear. Christian Kirk, Isaac Guerendo, Nate Hobbs, Sam Okuayinonu, and Nick Martin are all on injured reserve.
Sunday’s win improved San Francisco to 2-0, but the growing injury list is the story that will follow the team into the coming week. Evans’ hip appears to be the one piece of relatively good news.
How quickly he and Robinson recover, and whether the rest of the depth chart can hold, will shape the 49ers’ next stretch of the season.
