Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Mecole Hardman Jr.

Tuesday, October 20, 2:45 PM

San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) has not played yet for the 49ers in 2026 due to a calf injury that he suffered early in training camp. However, the 29-year-old former second-rounder in 2018 from Texas A&M is expected to come off Injured Reserve to make his season debut this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons on the road in Week 7. Kirk had a realistic chance to return in Week 6 on Monday night against the Washington Commanders, but the 49ers ultimately held Kirk out for one more week. He no longer has the kind of fantasy upside he had a bit earlier in his career, but with Kirk on the verge of a return to one of the most banged-up receiving corps in the league, he could have the opportunity to take on a big pass-catching role right away. Veteran Mike Evans is dealing with cracked ribs and Achilles tendonitis, and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) is expected to miss another game, too. Kirk, an eight-year veteran, has 432 catches for 5,415 yards and 30 touchdowns in his time in the NFL and should provide a stable veteran presence as quarterback Brock Purdy looks for healthy options to throw to. Kirk has struggled to stay healthy in recent years and had just two touchdown catches on 55 catches for 618 yards combined in 2024 and 2025 with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans.