Mike Evans Injury Update: 49ers WR Playing Through “Pretty Painful” Injury

Mike Evans suffered a rib injury midway through Week 3's shootout against the Arizona Cardinals, but it might not keep him from suiting up in Week 4. Originally entering the league as a first-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft , Evans spent most of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and established himself as one of the game's most consistent threats on the perimeter and in the red zone. Recording at least 1,000 yards in his first 11 seasons, Evans battled injury in 2025 and joined the San Francisco 49ers in the offseason.

While he left Sunday's contest early with an injury, it sounds like pain tolerance will ultimately decide if he can play against the Denver Broncos. In a recent tweet, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said that Mike Evans is intends to play through a "pretty painful" rib injury. While nothing is confirmed, this language suggests the potential Hall of Famer will suit up for the team's Week 4 showdown with Denver.

Mike Evans Injury Update: 49ers Star WR Questionable With "Pretty Painful" Rib Injury

Mike Evans is no longer the dominant player he was in the 2010s and early 2020s, but he has played pretty well for the 49ers thus far. In Week 1, the veteran finished the night with a respectable six receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown on seven targets against a strong Los Angeles Rams defense. He was off to a similar start in Week 2, recording three receptions for 54 yards before suffering a hip injury. He had three receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 before the rib injury sidelined him.

Based on Rapoport's tweet, it's likely that Mike Evans will suit up for the team's Week 4 battle against the Denver Broncos. At 2-1, the Broncos look like one of the better teams in the AFC, and they need to keep winning to keep pace with the 3-0 Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders. San Francisco, meanwhile, holds a one-game lead in the NFC West over the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

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