ESPN's Adam Schefter isn't sold on Mike Evans being ready for the 49ers' Week 4 game against the Denver Broncos.
Speaking on "Get Up," Schefter noted that the team didn't know after Sunday's 36-30 win over the Arizona Cardinals whether Evans had hurt his ribs, his oblique or both. Evans was sent for testing Monday, and Schefter said he looked to be in a lot of pain.
"And this was off a week in which he didn't practice due to a hip injury," Schefter said. "So he's got the hip, he's got the ribs, he's got the oblique. He's going to get tested today. Does that look like a player who's playing anytime soon?"
"Does that look like a player who’s playing anytime soon? ... [The 49ers] have lost so many wide receivers.” —@AdamSchefter on all the injuries
the San Francisco 49ers have suffered. pic.twitter.com/6fTDIscrXi
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) September 28, 2026
Evans left the game in the second quarter, walking slowly off the field and favoring his right rib cage before going to the locker room on a cart. He finished with three catches for 34 yards and a touchdown on six targets, including a 23-yard touchdown pass from Brock Purdy.
The team's outlook is more encouraging. Shanahan wouldn't say whether Evans has a broken rib, saying only that he "has a rib issue." But Shanahan said Evans could play against Denver and that the injury isn't considered long-term. He said the Niners will manage the rib this week, as they did with the hip, and evaluate Evans throughout the week. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also reported that Evans is day-to-day.
Evans has been San Francisco's most productive receiver, with 12 catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns through three games. His status matters more because the receiver room is already thin. Demarcus Robinson, Christian Kirk, rookie De'Zhaun Stribling, and Ricky Pearsall are all unavailable this week, although the 49ers did add Brandin Cooks to the practice squad.
If Evans can't go, it'll be the Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing show at receiver, possibly with Cooks, alongside tight end George Kittle, with running back Christian McCaffrey also leading the way.
Evans's participation in practice this week will show which side is right: Schefter's caution or Shanahan's optimism.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL insider questions whether 49ers star will be ready for Week 4
