Despite the discomfort, Evans expressed a strong desire to take the field, emphasizing his commitment to the team. After missing practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, he returned for a limited session on Friday, signaling his intent to push through the pain barrier if physically possible.
Evans determined to play through injury
Reflecting on the incident that sidelined him last week, Evans recalled the moment the injury occurred while running a route. He described a sharp, stabbing sensation in his chest that forced him to leave the game, eventually requiring a cart to head to the locker room. While he noted a significant collision with Cardinals safety Budda Baker earlier in the contest, he struggled to pinpoint the exact moment the rib issue began.
Evans remains optimistic about his availability, noting that he has successfully navigated similar injuries in the past. During his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in November 2022, he managed a rib injury and still recorded five catches for 54 yards in a victory over the Seattle Seahawks. To prepare for Sunday, he plans to utilize a compression shirt with integrated padding rather than a traditional flak jacket, which he dismissed as being more suited for quarterbacks.
Broader injury concerns for San Francisco
Coach Shanahan, who has personal experience with rib injuries following a July car accident, acknowledged Evans' resilience. While joking that he would personally be sidelined with such an injury, Shanahan expressed hope that the receiver’s toughness would allow him to suit up against Denver.
The 49ers are managing several other fitness concerns ahead of the weekend. Defensive end Nick Bosa has been ruled out with a calf injury, alongside defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. (ankle) and defensive lineman Mykel Williams (knee). Additionally, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and defensive lineman Keion White remain questionable, having both returned to limited practice on Friday after sitting out the earlier part of the week.
