There is no real consensus on where to draft Evans in 2026 -- the only agreement is that you should definitely not draft him before Round 5. Evans, who will turn 33 before the season starts, has already suffered and returned from a calf injury in the early days of 49ers training camp. It's a reminder of the 12 games he's missed over the last two seasons due to hamstring and collarbone issues. His fit in this offense could be as good as it was for Davante Adams with the Rams last season, but over the last three years this offense has only thrown 51% of its passes to wide receivers, and the offense is fairly stocked with Deebo Samuel back, rookie De'Zhaun Stribling making preseason plays and eventually George Kittle and Christian Kirk coming back to the field. Evans also just averaged a career-low 46 yards per game and 5.9 yards per target. He is best viewed as a boom-or-bust WR3 who could be much better than that if he scores double-digit touchdowns -- and stays on the field.
Evans secured six of seven targets for 49 yards and a touchdown during the 49ers' 27-7 Week 1 win over the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
Evans shrugged off recent nagging injuries to hit the ground running in his 49ers regular-season debut, recording three catches for 22 yards on the opening possession alone. He would go on to double up that reception tally by game's end, tying for the team lead in that category with Deebo Samuel while also drawing even with his teammate for second in targets. Evans also was on the receiving end of the second of Brock Purdy's three touchdown passes, muscling his way to a contested two-yard grab in the left corner of the end zone in the third quarter. If early returns are any indication, the Purdy-Evans connection could be a prolific one throughout the season, and a Week 2 home matchup against the Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 20 presents as a particularly promising matchup.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Removed from injured list
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Evans (adductor) was not listed on the injury report the 49ers released Tuesday, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
Evans has been slowed by injuries since early August, but he apparently is back at 100 percent in advance of Week 1. Barring any setbacks, he'll fill a starting wide receiver spot when the 49ers kick off their 2026 campaign against the Rams in Australia.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Involved in practice Monday
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Evans (adductor) was spotted on the field in full uniform during the open portion of Monday's practice in Melbourne, Australia, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Wagoner notes that linebacker Nick Bosa (knee) and running back Christian McCaffrey (undisclosed) were the only 49ers players who didn't appear to be mixing into team drills during the open portion of practice, so Evans appears likely to have been at least a limited participant in Monday's session. The 49ers will release their first injury report of the season later Monday, when the extent of Evans' practice participation will be revealed. Evans had his practice activity managed for much of training camp while he contended with a minor quadriceps strain and, more recently, an adductor injury.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Returns to practice Wednesday
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Evans (groin) returned to practice Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Evans has barely practiced this summer due to various nagging injuries, but his return to the field Wednesday gives him some time to get ready for next Thursday's season opener against the Rams in Australia. The Niners are flying out Wednesday of this week to get their body clocks acclimated to the time change. As long as Evans avoids setbacks over the next week, he should be available against Los Angeles, though it's fair to wonder how much chemistry he's built with Brock Purdy at this point.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Eyeing practice return next week
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San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Tuesday the team hopes to have Evans (groin) back at practice next week, David Lombardi of the San Francisco Standard reports.
The veteran wideout has been slowed by an adductor injury over the last week. The Niners will continue to be cautious with Evans as they prepare for their season opener Sept. 10 in Australia. That Evans won't practice this week is notable, given the already tight timeline and the upcoming international travel.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Groin injury considered minor
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Evans' groin injury is considered minor, and he plans to be ready for the 49ers' Week 1 regular-season opener against the Rams on Thursday, Sept. 10, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.
Evans has missed a bunch of practice time during training camp. first dealing with a quad issue before coming down with a groin injury earlier this week. While he's aiming to be ready for Week 1, Evans and Brock Purdy haven't had much time to work on their chemistry. At 33 years old with a checkered injury history, Evans is shaping up as a boom-or-bust fantasy pick headed into the season.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Back in team drills Saturday
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Evans (quadriceps) took part in 11-on-11 work at Saturday's practice, Noah Furtado of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Evans has been on and off the practice field in training camp due to bouts with quad injuries, including this past Tuesday's session, when he exited early and was seen with a wrap on his upper left leg. He didn't suit up in either of the 49ers' first two preseason games, but the 13-year pro doesn't necessarily require exhibition reps to serve as QB Brock Purdy's top wide receiver Week 1.
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49ers' Mike Evans: In uniform for practice Saturday
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Evans (quadriceps) is suited up for Saturday's practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
After Evans departed Tuesday's joint practice with the Chargers, coach Kyle Shanahan said the veteran wide receiver was dealing with some quadriceps tightness, which resulted in his left quad being wrapped near the end of that session. Evans didn't play in Thursday's preseason win versus the Chargers, giving him just one more chance for preseason game action ahead of Week 1.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Injury issue downplayed by Shanahan
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Kyle Shanahan said after Tuesday's joint practice with the Chargers that Evans experienced some quadriceps tightness, and the coach doesn't believe the issue is a serious one, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Evans initially left Tuesday's session and had his left foot/ankle wrapped and iced, but he eventually moved that wrapping to his left quad. He previously missed early training-camp practices due to a quadriceps issue, so it appears to be a slight aggravation of the previous concern. Shanahan's comments indicate the 49ers aren't concerned about Evans' health, but the team likely will exercise caution with the veteran wide receiver with two preseason games remaining before Week 1.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Slowed by lower-body injury
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Evans exited Tuesday's joint practice with the Chargers due to an injury to his left foot or ankle, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Evans made an early departure Tuesday to have his left foot wrapped and iced, but he later removed the tape job while watching the remainder of the session from the sideline, per Wagoner. Evans previously dealt with a quadriceps injury early on in training camp, so his transition from Tampa Bay to San Francisco hasn't exactly gone swimmingly. However, he remains on track to begin the regular season at the top of a revamped wide receiver depth chart that also includes a repatriated Deebo Samuel, veteran slot option Christian Kirk (calf) and 2026 second-round pick De'Zhaun Stribling.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Working in team drills Saturday
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Evans (quadriceps) participated in team drills during Saturday's training camp practice, Noah Furtado of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Evans has slowly been working his way back from a quad strain that he sustained in early August. He was cleared to participate in individual drills prior to Thursday's preseason opener against the Titans, which he did not suit up for. Evans' ability to work in team drills is a positive sign, and he would be on track to play against the Chargers on Thursday if the 49ers' starters suit up for that contest.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Not suited up Thursday
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Evans (quadriceps) is not dressed in uniform for Thursday night's preseason opener against the Titans, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Evans has been dealing with a minor quad strain for the past week and returned to practice Tuesday. Considering his veteran status and recent injury, it's not surprising to see Evans in street clothes for the exhibition with Tennessee. As long as he avoids setbacks, Evans should be ready to rock for the Niners' Week 1 regular-season opener against the Rams on Thursday, Sept. 10.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Gets in individual work
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Evans (quadriceps) took part primarily in individual drills at Tuesday's joint practice with the Titans, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
After a week away from the practice field due to a minor quad strain, Evans was back in action, albeit in a limited capacity. Easing him back in isn't a surprise considering the cautious approach the 49ers have taken with Evans' injury. Even if he doesn't suit up for Thursday's preseason contest against the Titans, he still has one month to get healthy for the team's Week 1 matchup with the Rams in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, Sept. 10.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Present for practice Tuesday
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Evans (quadriceps) is in pads and taking part in warmups ahead of Tuesday's joint practice with the Titans, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Evans has been sidelined since last Monday due to a strained quad, but the 49ers have downplayed the injury all along. After a week off, he appears poised to mix back in Tuesday. Considering the cautious approach the team has taken with Evans, he may not have received clearance for all drills, and it remains to be seen if he'll be allowed to suit up for Thursday's preseason game.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Nearing return to practice
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Coach Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers continue to "be smart with" Evans (quadriceps), who didn't practice Saturday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Evans was able to work out on the side Saturday and looked close to 100 percent, per Wagoner, but as Shanahan clarified they won't press the veteran wide receiver back into action prematurely. Evans has been sidelined this week due to a minor quad strain, and with San Francisco's season opener still more than a month away Thursday, Sept. 10 against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia, he has plenty of time to prove his health for games that matter. Meanwhile, fellow WRs Christian Kirk (calf) and Jacob Cowing (hip) remain sidelined as well, leaving Deebo Samuel, rookie second-round pick De'Zhaun Stribling, Demarcus Robinson and Jordan Watkins as the top available players at the position.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Remains sidelined
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Evans (quadriceps) didn't practice Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The same can be said for fellow wide receivers Christian Kirk (calf), De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) and Jacob Cowing (hip). When Evans initially sat out Monday's session, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the 13-year pro was dealing with a minor quad strain, and the 49ers were slated to ease him back in until he's fully healthy.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Minor quad strain
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Evans, who didn't practice Monday, is tending to a minor quad strain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
In a San Francisco receiving corps that already has lost Ricky Pearsall (knee, IR) for the season, Evans joined Christian Kirk (calf) and rookie second-rounder De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) on the sideline during Monday's session. Rapoport suggested the 49ers will give Evans a lighter workload until he's back to 100 percent, but in the meantime, Deebo Samuel will serve as the team's top available option at the position, while Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing should see more first-team reps.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Not practicing, but catches passes
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Evans (quadriceps) didn't don a uniform at Monday's practice, but he did make some stationary over-the-shoulder catches during special-teams drills, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Evans is the latest 49ers wide receiver to miss practice due to injury, with Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reporting the 13-year pro is dealing with a strained quad. With Ricky Pearsall (knee) on injured reserve and out for the season and Christian Kirk (calf) and rookie second-round De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) also tending to health concerns, Deebo Samuel is the clear-cut top available player at the position for San Francisco, while Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing are next up for reps.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Has strained quad
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Evans (quad) won't practice Monday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
With Evans now dealing with a quad strain, the 49ers are banged up at wideout at the moment. On top of Ricky Pearsall's (knee) placement on IR, Christian Kirk is dealing with a calf injury, while De'Zhaun Stribling is managing hamstring tightness. For now, consider Evans day-to-day ahead of the team's Aug. 13 preseason opener against the Titans.
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49ers' Mike Evans: Winning over teammates and coaches
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Evans is making a strong impression at voluntary OTAs and feels rejuvenated after an injury-plagued 2025, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
"I pinch myself every day," said teammate George Kittle, who then told reporters that Evans caught "three to five" TDs in a red-zone period. Dominance in unpadded practices doesn't mean much, especially for a player who already has such a strong track record, but it's a good sign that Evans is fitting in with the 49ers and earning praise from fellow future Hall of Famers like Kittle and LT Trent Williams. The 32-year-old wideout seems to have been a full participant throughout the voluntary offseason program, acclimating quickly to Kyle Shanahan's offense.
