SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers receiver Mike Evans left Monday night’s win over the Washington Commanders with Achilles tendinitis.
Evans had been bothered for the past week by the issue and didn’t practice leading up to the game. He has also been playing through two broken ribs but was active for the game after being listed as questionable.
“It’s the same thing that was bothering him all week,” coach Kyle Shanahan said after the 23-17 win. “Just was acting up too much in the game so he couldn’t go. We’ll see how he feels this week.”
Shanahan said Evans doesn’t need additional testing and the injury is not believed to be something that will sideline him for a long period. San Francisco plays at Atlanta on Sunday and then has a bye week.
“When you have Achilles tendinitis like he does, it’s it kind of is what it is,” Shanahan said. “It flared up tonight. I hope that he recovers throughout the week, but I don’t think it’s a long-term thing. But right now, it almost cost him this game, and then it cost him two quarters. Hopefully, he’ll be able to play next week. But if not, we’ll have to have the rest of the group step up and hopefully get him healed up after the bye week.”
Evans had three catches for 94 yards in the first half before leaving the game after a 16-yard catch late in the second quarter. Evans limped off the field and was seen trying to stretch out his lower leg in the tunnel before going back to the locker room.
He didn’t return for the second half and was ruled out for the game. The 49ers are already missing several receivers with Ricky Pearsall, De’Zhaun Stribling, Deebo Samuel, Demarcus Robinson and Christian Kirk all sidelined. Kirk could return as soon as next week.
After gaining 303 yards and 17 first downs on the way to a 20-3 halftime lead, San Francisco was held to 72 yards and three first downs in the second as the defense held on for the win.
“Obviously he’s one of our best playmakers,” quarterback Brock Purdy said. “So you want to get him the ball as much as you can and what he brings to the table with making plays and sort of what defenses have to do to respect him. … So obviously it sucks having him go down. But I still obviously believe in the guys that have to step up and make plays for us and stuff too. We’ll be good, but obviously we’d love to have him out there.”
The 33-year-old Evans has been a key part of the 49ers’ offense in his first season in San Francisco. He has 27 catches for 420 yards and three touchdowns despite dealing with the broken ribs since Week 3.
Evans is a six-time Pro Bowler and topped 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first 11 seasons in the NFL with Tampa Bay. He was held to just 368 yards last season when he was limited to eight games because of injuries.
San Francisco linebacker Luke Gifford also left the game with a groin injury and slot cornerback Upton Stout left with an injured shoulder.
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By JOSH DUBOW
AP Pro Football Writer
