49ers rule vet WR Evans out after rib injury in first half

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  Nick WagonerSep 27, 2026, 06:10 PM ET

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  Nick Wagoner is an NFL reporter at ESPN. Nick has covered the San Francisco 49ers since 2016, having previously covered the St. Louis Rams for 12 years, including three years (2013 to 2015) at ESPN. In over a decade with the company, Nick has led ESPN's coverage of the Niners' 2019 and 2023 Super Bowl run, Colin Kaepernick's protest, the Rams making Michael Sam the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL, Sam's subsequent pursuit of a roster spot and the team's relocation and stadium saga.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The injuries continue to mount for the San Francisco 49ers as receiver Mike Evans departed in the first half of Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals.

It was unclear exactly what happened to Evans, but he was slow to come off the field after a third-down pass from quarterback Brock Purdy intended for him over the middle fell incomplete. A few plays earlier, he got hit on the sternum on a completion over the middle but stayed in for a couple of snaps before departing.

Niners medical staff ran on to the field and helped Evans as he clutched at the right side of his sternum. Evans slowly got up and walked to the sideline where he entered the medical tent and, after a few minutes, got on a cart to go to the locker room.

At halftime, the Niners ruled out his return due to a rib injury. Evans, who managed a hip injury during the week, finished his day with three catches for 34 yards and a touchdown.

Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, meanwhile, departed to be evaluated for concussion earlier in the half. He cleared that evaluation and returned to the game on Arizona's first possession of the third quarter.