George Kittle offers grit-fueled perspective on the veteran receiver’s rib fracture as San Francisco’s depleted offense awaits a crucial update before a pivotal Week 4 matchup.
Mike Evans’ injury situation became a little clearer Wednesday, although the San Francisco 49ers are still waiting to see when their veteran wide receiver will be able to return to the field.
Evans suffered a rib injury during San Francisco’s Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals after taking a hard hit while making a reception. He was eventually helped onto a cart and taken to the locker room, immediately raising questions about the severity of the injury.
The 49ers initially did not know whether Evans was dealing with a broken rib or an oblique injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan later said Evans was considered day-to-day, providing some optimism that the injury would not keep him sidelined for an extended period.
However, comments from tight end George Kittle appear to have provided another important piece of information.
During an appearance on KNBR, Kittle was asked about Evans and seemingly confirmed that the wide receiver is dealing with fractured ribs.
"Fractured ribs suck," Kittle said. "Hey, Mike’s a stud. He’ll do what’s best for him and what’s best for the team. We’re not worried about it."
Kittle knows a thing or two about fractured ribs, as he has suffered the same thing in 2018 and 2024. And what ended up happening both times was that he played through it, so if there's someone who knows what it takes to get through an injury, it's Kittle.
Those comments offer a glimpse into how the 49ers are viewing the situation, even as Evans remains sidelined from practice. San Francisco listed Evans among the players who did not practice Wednesday, with Shanahan saying he hopes the receiver can return to practice later in the week.
That timeline will be important for San Francisco, especially considering the number of injuries already affecting the team's receiving corps. Evans has quickly established himself as an important part of the 49ers' passing attack since joining the team, recording 12 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns through the first three games of the season.
With several other San Francisco receivers dealing with injuries, Evans’ availability could have a significant impact on the offense moving forward.
For now, though, the 49ers appear to be taking a cautious approach. The 49ers are taking a 3-0 record into Week 4, so getting Evans back on the field could be very crucial for them.
San Francisco will continue monitoring Evans throughout the week, with his practice participation likely providing the next major clue about his status.
