The San Francisco 49ers are sitting pretty at the top of the NFC standings, driving towards that No. 1 overall playoff seed, but you won’t see veteran wide receiver Mike Evans on the field against the Dallas Cowboys today. Why? Because the Niners, for all intents and purposes, are playing the long game. They’re past caring about mere regular-season wins, focusing squarely on January and February and making their push for Kyle Shanahan’s first Super Bowl title.
Achilles Tendinitis and the Cautious Approach
Evans is currently dealing with what’s being called Achilles tendinitis. Look, it’s not a season-ending injury, which is a huge relief, but it absolutely needs time to recover properly. The last thing you want is to aggravate it or make it worse, especially with their sights set on a deep playoff run. The 49ers are being super cautious with their most dependable pass-catcher because they need him firing on all cylinders when it truly matters this winter. It’s smart, even if it means missing a game against a big opponent like Dallas. They need Evans ready to make those crucial third-down catches and grab those touchdowns in the biggest games.
Shanahan’s Two Words and What It Means for Week 11
Here’s the good news, Niners fans: it looks like Evans won’t miss much more time in the regular season. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan, in the lead-up to the Cowboys matchup, characterized Evans as being “real close” to a comeback. When a coach uses that kind of language, you know a return is right around the corner. You just don’t say “real close” if he’s still weeks away. It means Evans’ return is absolutely looming.
I’d be genuinely surprised if we don’t see Mike Evans back on the field next week against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11. That’s a huge game, and it’s happening in Mexico City. The 49ers are eyeing that Super Bowl ring, and getting Evans back in the lineup, making big plays, is a critical piece of that puzzle. Keep your eyes peeled, because Evans should be back very, very soon.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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