Who Should I Start? Mike Evans or Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Friday, October 23, 1:43 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday that wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles, rib) has been ruled out for the Week 7 contest on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. Evans went into the Monday night win over the Washington Commanders as questionable with Achilles soreness and a couple of broken ribs, but he played through the ailments, only to aggravate his Achilles injury. The 33-year-old future Hall of Famer unsurprisingly did not practice at all this week and will now try to return in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders after the team's bye in Week 8. Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) is missing a second straight game as well, so San Francisco's issues at WR continue to get progressively worse each week. If Christian Kirk (calf) does not return from Injured Reserve this weekend, the Niners will be down to Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing, and Jordan Watkins. Tight end George Kittle should be in for a heavy workload this Sunday in Atlanta. Evans, who had 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his NFL career, has been banged up all year but has been productive with 27 catches for 420 yards and three touchdowns in his first six games in the Bay Area.