Mike Evans will miss the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 10 game against the Dallas Cowboys because of an Achilles injury. The veteran wide receiver also sat out San Francisco’s Week 9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
The latest update is a change from head coach Kyle Shanahan’s earlier expectation that Evans could return in Week 9. Although Shanahan did not initially anticipate a long-term absence, Evans will remain out for another game. His status beyond Week 10 has not been confirmed, but the coach’s comments leave open the possibility that he could return in Week 11.
## Mike Evans’ Injury and 49ers Status
Evans has dealt with several injuries during the 2026 season. The Achilles issue is the latest problem to keep him from the field, following hip and rib injuries earlier in the year. His absence is significant for a 49ers team that brought him in during the offseason after a long career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Evans entered the NFL as a first-round pick in the 2014 draft and spent most of his career in Tampa Bay. He built a reputation as a reliable outside receiver and red-zone target, recording at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 seasons. After battling injuries in 2025, he joined San Francisco.
The 49ers had hoped Evans would be available against the Raiders, but he was ultimately ruled out. He will also miss the matchup with Dallas as he continues to recover from the Achilles injury. While there is no confirmed timetable beyond Week 10, Shanahan’s earlier assessment that the injury was not expected to keep Evans out long term provides some reason to watch for a possible return the following week.
## How Mike Evans Has Played This Season
Evans made a productive start to his first season with San Francisco. In Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, he caught six passes for 49 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. The performance gave the 49ers an early look at the veteran’s role in their offense, even against a strong Rams defense.
He began Week 2 in a similar fashion, recording three receptions for 54 yards before suffering a hip injury. Evans returned in Week 3 and caught three passes for 34 yards and a touchdown. A rib injury then became another obstacle during the season.
Despite that setback, Evans played through pain in Weeks 4 and 5. Against the Denver Broncos, he finished with five receptions for 76 yards. The following week, he caught seven passes for 113 yards against the Seattle Seahawks. Those outings showed that he remained capable of producing when healthy and available.
Evans has not been able to maintain a consistent presence in the lineup because of the succession of injuries. His absence from the Week 9 win and Week 10 game against Dallas means San Francisco will have to continue without him while he recovers.
## What to Watch Ahead of Week 11
The main question is whether Evans can return for the 49ers’ Week 11 game. Shanahan previously indicated that he did not expect the Achilles injury to become a long-term issue, but the receiver’s continued absence shows that he was not ready to play in Week 10. His availability will depend on how his recovery progresses, and the team has not confirmed that he will be back next week.
Until there is a further update, Evans should be considered unavailable for the Cowboys game. His season has included a productive opening stretch as well as several injuries, making his health an important factor in determining when he can contribute again.
For now, the confirmed news is that Evans will miss Week 10 with an Achilles injury. The possibility of a Week 11 return remains open, but his status will need to be reassessed as the next game approaches.
