The San Francisco 49ers will face the Atlanta Falcons without Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, leaving Brock Purdy short of two veteran receiving options as the team tries to reach its bye week unbeaten.
Evans is out with an Achilles injury, while Samuel remains sidelined by a hamstring injury. Christian Kirk is questionable with a calf injury.
49ers injury report, via coach Kyle Shanahan:
OUT
WR Mike Evans (Achilles)
WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring)
DE Nick Bosa (calf)
LB Garret Wallow (ham)
LB Luke Gifford (groin)
S Marques Sigle (ankle)
Questionable
DB Upton Stout (shoulder)
S Siran Neal (knee)
WR Christian Kirk (calf)— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) October 23, 2026
There is a potential reinforcement coming. The 49ers plan to activate Kirk for Sunday’s game.
That is a planned roster move, however, rather than confirmation that Kirk has been cleared to play. San Francisco enters the matchup at 6-0, with Atlanta at 2-4.
The game kicks off at 1 p.m. Eastern on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Evans has 27 receptions for 420 yards and three touchdowns through six games.
Eight of his catches have gained at least 20 yards, and 24 have produced first downs, underscoring how much the 49ers lose beyond another available body at receiver.
What the injuries mean for the 49ers’ receiving corps
The three receiver designations leave San Francisco with two confirmed absences and a separate decision on Kirk:
| Receiver | Injury | Week 7 status |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Evans | Achilles | Out |
| Deebo Samuel | Hamstring | Out |
| Christian Kirk | Calf | Questionable; activation planned |
Evans’ longer-term outlook also remains unsettled. Asked Wednesday whether the Achilles problem would require management throughout the season, Kyle Shanahan said the team had been managing it the previous week and was continuing to do so.
“So, we’ll see how the rest of the year goes,” Shanahan said.
When asked directly whether he knew that management would be necessary all year, Shanahan said he did not. His answer leaves the timeline open; it does not establish a season-long limitation.
Samuel’s absence follows the team’s earlier decision to wait on placing him on injured reserve with the bye approaching.
The 49ers are off in Week 8 and host the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 8, giving the injured receivers additional recovery time after Sunday. Neither has a confirmed return date in the reporting cited here.
Christian Kirk and Jordan Watkins could help Brock Purdy
Purdy sounded encouraged about Kirk during his Thursday news conference, describing the previous week’s practices as an opportunity for the receiver to reacclimate to the offense.
“He’s good to go now in my eyes. I think he’s going to come in and do his job well,” Purdy said.
That assessment reflects the quarterback’s confidence, not a replacement for Kirk’s official questionable designation.
Purdy also explained that building connections with different receivers involves learning how each creates separation, in addition to matching the timing of the passing game.
Jordan Watkins is another player the coaches believe can contribute more.
Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said Thursday that Watkins’ limited opportunities were not a reflection of poor execution, explaining that some intended chances had resulted in passes going elsewhere.
“He’s doing everything right and the ball is going to find him because he’s playing the right way,” Kubiak said.
Kubiak also acknowledged the preparation challenge facing Kirk and Brandin Cooks, who have had fewer repetitions in the offense. Their experience helps, he said, but developing trust with Purdy still requires practice together.
There is another issue to address beyond the receiver injuries. Reviewing Monday’s win over Washington, Shanahan pointed to sacks that created difficult third downs and ended possessions.
He did not attribute those plays to Evans’ absence, an important distinction as San Francisco prepares its offense for Atlanta.
