San Francisco 49ers News

San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) has not played yet for the 49ers in 2026 due to a calf injury that he suffered early in training camp. However, the 29-year-old former second-rounder in 2018 from Texas A&M is expected to come off Injured Reserve to make his season debut this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons on the road in Week 7. Kirk had a realistic chance to return in Week 6 on Monday night against the Washington Commanders, but the 49ers ultimately held Kirk out for one more week. He no longer has the kind of fantasy upside he had a bit earlier in his career, but with Kirk on the verge of a return to one of the most banged-up receiving corps in the league, he could have the opportunity to take on a big pass-catching role right away. Veteran Mike Evans is dealing with cracked ribs and Achilles tendonitis, and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) is expected to miss another game, too. Kirk, an eight-year veteran, has 432 catches for 5,415 yards and 30 touchdowns in his time in the NFL and should provide a stable veteran presence as quarterback Brock Purdy looks for healthy options to throw to. Kirk has struggled to stay healthy in recent years and had just two touchdown catches on 55 catches for 618 yards combined in 2024 and 2025 with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans.

San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Kaelon Black remains a high-upside handcuff after rushing eight times for 34 yards in Monday's win over Washington. Black handled 26.8% of the team's rushing attempts, up from his 21.1% average share during Weeks 2-5. Christian McCaffrey remains the clear lead back, limiting Black's immediate fantasy value. However, the rookie has established himself as San Francisco's primary backup and could inherit a substantial workload if McCaffrey misses time. Black is rostered in just 28% of Yahoo leagues, making him an appealing stash for fantasy managers seeking high-upside running back insurance.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles) was forced to leave Monday night's win over the Commanders after aggravating his Achilles injury. He is also playing through broken ribs, but after the game, coach Kyle Shanahan said that the team is optimistic that Evans will play on Sunday against the Falcons. Before leaving on Monday, Evans caught three of his five targets for 94 yards. With a Week 8 bye week just around the corner, the team could opt to be cautious with Evans in Week 7, and he would have 19 days to recover if he returns to action in Week 9. Whether it costs him a game or not remains to be seen, but it doesn't seem like it's a major issue or a long-term concern at this point. Watch his practice reports closely, and if he plays against Atlanta, he'll be a solid WR2 in the 49ers' productive offense.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles) has been dealing with Achilles tendonitis, head coach Kyle Shanahan told Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. The injury bothered Evans throughout practice this past week, and while he was active for Monday Night Football against the Commanders, he aggravated the ailment mid-game and was unable to finish the contest. The good news is the team has confirmed that Evans' Achilles is intact and he shouldn't need any additional testing. The bad news is that Shanahan wouldn't commit to Evans' status for Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons. As Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports noted on Monday night, since the 49ers have a Week 8 bye, the team could reasonably use that to buy Evans extra time for his recovery. If he returns to action in Week 9, he will have missed just one game while getting 19 days to recover. When he does get back on the field, Evans will rank as a strong fantasy WR2 while operating in a very dominant 49ers offense.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles) seemed to avoid a serious injury during Monday's Week 6 win over the Washington Commanders. Evans exited early with an Achilles issue, but head coach Kyle Shanahan clarified postgame that the veteran pass catcher was simply experiencing the same soreness that he dealt with earlier in the week, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. Shanahan added that Evans isn't expected to undergo any additional testing. Although Evans won't be subjected to additional testing (even as a precaution), his status for Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons is uncertain. Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports is reporting that Evans' Achilles is intact, but he will miss a little time. San Francisco has a Week 8 bye, so it would make sense for the Niners to hold him out until Week 9. If that's the case, Evans would have 19 days to recover while missing just one game. The 49ers avoided the worst-case scenario here, but Evans' injury is the latest in a long list of ailments plaguing the team's wide receivers. San Francisco was already without Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring), Christian Kirk (calf), De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) on Monday night.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles) has officially been ruled out for the remainder of his team's Week 6 matchup against the Washington Commanders on Monday night, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Evans was questionable to play in the game coming in due to Achilles soreness. After making a catch, he limped off the field right before halftime and was seen grabbing at his Achilles once he reached the tunnel. Before getting injured, the veteran wideout recorded three catches for 94 yards on five targets. With Evans sidelined, 49ers wideouts Jordan Watkins and Brandin Cooks could both see increased usage the rest of the way against Washington.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles) is officially questionable to return to his team's Week 6 matchup against the Washington Commanders on Monday night, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. After coming into the game with Achilles soreness, Evans limped off the field right before halftime and was seen grabbing at his Achilles once he reached the tunnel. Before getting injured, the veteran wideout recorded three catches for 94 yards on five targets. If Evans is unable to return to the game, 49ers wideouts Jordan Watkins and Brandin Cooks could both see increased usage the rest of the way against Washington.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles) gingerly walked to the locker room right before the end of the first half in his team's Week 6 matchup against the Washington Commanders, per Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Evans was questionable to play coming into the game due to Achilles soreness and was seen grabbing at the Achilles area once he got into the tunnel. Before leaving the game, Evans recorded three catches for 94 yards on five targets. If he is unable to return, 49ers wideouts Jordan Watkins and Brandin Cooks could be in line for more targets and playing time in the second half.

San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) is officially active for the Monday Night Football game against the visiting Washington Commanders, according to Brooke Evans of the team's official website. Evans did not practice all of last week but will still play to close out Week 6 action as he battles through several broken ribs and Achilles soreness. Despite breaking some ribs in the Week 3 win over the division-rival Arizona Cardinals, Evans has not missed any games and has caught 12 of his 18 targets for 189 yards and one touchdown in the last two games without much help from the rest of the 49ers' banged-up receiving corps. Veterans Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) and Christian Kirk (calf) will be out against Washington, leaving the team with Jacob Cowing and veteran Brandin Cooks to help pick up the slack behind Evans. Fantasy managers who rolled the dice on Evans this week have to be happy with their decision since he is active as he looks for a second straight 100-yard performance. Evans caught a season-high seven passes for 113 yards and his third touchdown of the year in last week's big divisional win over the Seattle Seahawks.

The San Francisco 49ers did not activate veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) from Injured Reserve, and he will not play in the Monday night game against the visiting Washington Commanders, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Kirk was trending towards being activated to make his 2026 season debut to close out Week 6 action, but it is not happening. Meanwhile, there is momentum for veteran Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) to play despite the fact that he did not practice all of last week. If Kirk can return to a full practice at some point this week, he could be lined up to come off IR to make his season debut in Week 7 this Sunday against the hosting Atlanta Falcons. Considering that Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) could miss multiple weeks with a hamstring strain that he suffered in the Week 5 win over the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, Kirk could have a substantial role behind Evans in the Niners' passing attack immediately. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider adding the former 1,000-yard receiver off waivers this week. Kirk is rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues.

The San Francisco 49ers want to see how veteran wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) looks during pre-game workouts, but they are optimistic that he will play to close out Week 6 action against the Washington Commanders, ESPN's Adam Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show. "My guess is we will see Mike Evans," Schefter said. Evans has been playing through fractured ribs ever since Week 3, and he came out of last week's big divisional win over the Seattle Seahawks with some Achilles soreness. The future Hall of Famer did not practice all week, but he is trending in the right direction as a game-time decision. That should be music to fantasy managers' ears who rolled the dice and left Evans in their starting lineup despite his multiple injuries. Despite consistently being on the injury report since training camp, Evans has not missed a game in his first year with the 49ers and has been productive with 24 receptions, 326 yards, and three touchdowns. The 49ers could also get veteran slot man Christian Kirk (calf) back from Injured Reserve for the first time this season on Monday night.

San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) is expected to be activated from Injured Reserve and make his season debut on Monday Night Football against the visiting Washington Commanders, according to The San Jose Mercury News' Cam Inman. The 49ers are desperate for healthy receivers, so getting Kirk back will be a huge plus for San Francisco, especially if veteran Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) cannot play on Monday night. Fantasy managers probably should not expect much from Kirk right away if he is active to close out Week 6 on Monday night, but with all of the injuries to the 49ers' receiving corps right now, he is absolutely worth a look on the waiver wire for WR depth going forward. The 29-year-old has been out through the first five weeks of the season due to a calf injury that he suffered back in training camp. In 13 games (three starts) for the Houston Texans last year, Kirk caught 28 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown. He has just two touchdown catches in the last two years combined with the Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars, but Kirk has had a 1,000-yard season in the NFL (2022) and could have a big role for the 49ers sooner rather than later.

San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) is questionable to play on Monday night against the Washington Commanders and will be a game-time decision, according to Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News. Evans did not practice all week and was limited to individual conditioning on a side field. The future Hall of Famer has played two games with fractured ribs that he suffered in the Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals, and he came down with some Achilles soreness this week. There have been reports suggesting that Evans is on the wrong side of questionable, so fantasy managers who left him in their lineup might have to pivot at the last minute on Monday night if the 49ers make him inactive. With Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) already out after getting injured in last week's win over the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, the 49ers would be down to Jacob Cowing, veteran Brandin Cooks, and Jordan Watkins if Evans does not play against Washington. Evans has become an extreme injury risk, but he has yet to miss a game in 2026 and has caught 24 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns in his first season in the Bay Area.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) is currently listed as questionable ahead of Monday's Week 6 matchup against the Washington Commanders. Evans has been working on the side during each of the last two practices while nursing ribs and Achilles injuries. According to Larry Krueger, Evans looks like he's on the wrong side of questionable heading into Monday's game. The 49ers should give another update on his status soon. If Evans is unable to play, Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing, and Jordan Watkins would be the starting wideouts for Monday's game. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for more updates ahead of Monday's game.

San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro missed a field goal attempt from 52 yards out but was good on his 44-yard try that ended up being the difference in last week's 32-29 win over the Seahawks. He was 3-for-3 on extra point attempts, as well. The 49ers' efficiency on offense has eaten into Pineiro's production in 2026, allowing him just eight field goal attempts (with five makes) through the first five weeks. Pineiro could see more action this week, though. The 49ers' upcoming meeting with the Commanders has one of the highest point totals on the Week 6 slate. If the offensive bonanza comes to fruition, it will put Pineiro in a good spot for some extra chances to put points on the board. Pineiro has a top-12 projection in Week 6, and fantasy managers can feel good about including him in starting lineups.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle's production took a big step back in Week 5, when he caught five of his six targets for a mere 24 receiving yards. It was a disappointment after a three-week stretch where he averaged 77.3 receiving yards and scored at least one touchdown in each game. Kittle could be in for a major rebound in Week 6. For starters, the 49ers will face the Washington Commanders, who have rank in the bottom five in fantasy points, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns allowed to opposing tight ends. Secondly, given the spate of injuries in San Francisco's wide receiver room, Kittle is in line to see more time as Brock Purdy's first read. As usual, Kittle is among the top options at tight end this week and should be a lock for fantasy lineups.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandin Cooks had one catch in his team debut last week, but it was good for a seven-yard touchdown. Amid injuries to Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) and Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles), Cooks was mostly rotated into two-WR sets, and his snap share was nearly equal to that of Samuel, Jacob Cowing (ankle), and Jordan Watkins. With Samuel ruled out for Week 6, and Evans questionable after not practicing all week, Cooks might take another step forward on Monday night. The 49ers will host the Commanders in the final game of the slate, and Washington has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2026. Cooks currently projects as a WR5 in Week 6. He is best suited for deep leagues and is worth stashing elsewhere as a late pivot option for teams rostering Evans.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans fought through a rib injury to snag seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets in Week 5. Evans logged three straight DNPs ahead of the 49ers' Week 6 matchup with the Washington Commanders, though he was able to work out on the side. Not only was Evans still bothered by the rib ailment, but he is also battling Achilles soreness. If Evans can tough out the injuries again, he could have another big week. The Washington Commanders have given up the fourth most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2026, and have given up at least 120 yards and a touchdown to a wide receiver in three of their first five games. Evans projects as a WR2, but if a late decision comes for Evans to sit, fantasy managers have a grab bag of receivers to pivot to on Monday night that includes Jacob Cowing (ankle), Brandin Cooks, and Jordan Watkins.

San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black hasn't seen much work as the team's change-of-pace back lately. The rookie wowed in Week 1, handing a season-high 14 carries for 65 yards, but he has averaged 5.8 carries and 17.8 rushing yards in the four games since. The disparity between the 49ers and Commanders in their Week 6 meeting could put more on Black's plate. If the 49ers get out to an early lead, they are more likely to preserve Christian McCaffrey and give more work to Black, as we saw in Week 1. The Commanders' run defense has been stout, allowing the sixth-fewest rushing yards to running backs, but the 49ers' improved run blocking in 2026 has led to 4.6 yards per attempt. Black projects as an RB4/5 in Week 6. While he won't be suitable to start in most leagues, his upside makes him an option in deep leagues that may need a solution as a bye-week streamer.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey had 68 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and three catches for 15 receiving yards on five targets last week. In Week 6, the 49ers face the Commanders, who have been surprisingly effective against the run. Washington has allowed just two rushing touchdowns, the sixth-fewest rushing yards, and the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2026. McCaffrey's utility as a receiver will keep him in play as a top option at his position. The Commanders are in the middle of the pack defending against passes to running backs, and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) has been ruled out, and Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) is questionable, which means more targets could come CMC's way. McCaffrey projects as an RB1 and should be started in fantasy football in Week 6.