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

Thursday, November 12, 11:35 AM

San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Mike Evans (Achilles, ribs) was not seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Evans also missed practice on Wednesday and is shaping up as doubtful to return for the team's Week 10 road matchup this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. The 33-year-old future Hall of Famer has not played since the win over the Washington Commanders on Monday night on Oct. 19 due to Achilles soreness and a couple of cracked ribs. He has seemingly been battling injuries since training camp this summer, and the Niners' priority is to have Evans near full strength at the end of the season and into the playoffs. With Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) on the mend as well, the 49ers acquired veteran wideout Keenan Allen from the Indianapolis Colts at Tuesday's trade deadline, and he could immediately become the team's WR1 if Evans misses another game this weekend. Evans, a six-time Pro Bowler, has been productive in six games played in his first year in the Bay Area, catching 27 of 39 targets for 420 yards and three touchdowns, but he has become an extreme injury risk and will have more competition for targets in the second half with the Niners getting healthier and the presence of Allen. A more realistic return date for Evans is in Week 11 against the Minnesota Vikings.