The San Francisco 49ers were without several key contributors due to injuries when they faced the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The loss marked the team's first defeat of the season, but there is optimism in Santa Clara that reinforcements could arrive after the bye week.
One of the most significant potential returns is wide receiver Mike Evans, who missed Week 7 while dealing with Achilles tendinitis, further depleting an injury-ravaged receiving corps. Evans had already been playing through a rib injury before the Achilles issue emerged.
General manager John Lynch joined Bay Area radio station KNBR on Tuesday morning to discuss several injured players, including Evans.
"Mike's been working tirelessly," Lynch said. "He'll continue to do that. He's on a great plan, and I think the idea is you've just got to quiet that thing down. We dealt with that with [RB] Christian [McCaffrey] last year—remember, he had that bilateral. We talked about that a lot, and fortunately with Mike, it's just on the one side.
"He's dealt with it some throughout his career, but it got to a point where it was really inhibiting his ability to play. At that point, you've got to take him out and try to quiet the thing down. Making good progress on that. We need to continue, and Mike will be tireless in his efforts to do that."
Lynch was also asked whether the 49ers are concerned that Evans' Achilles tendinitis could require ongoing management throughout the season.
"I think with things like tendinitis, it can, but that's why I think you take the time upfront and you make sure you kind of have given it the best opportunity to be gone and stay gone," Lynch said. "I think that's all you can ask for. You listen to the experts on that, you do all the therapy that's required. And Mike, he's a pro.
"And so, Mike's going to attack that, and it's hard for Mike to miss. He doesn't like doing it, but he also understands the big picture: that we need him right. And we'll make sure that he is before he returns."
Nick Bosa injury update
Lynch also provided an update on defensive end Nick Bosa, who has missed the last five games with a calf injury. The 49ers hope the star pass rusher can return in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
"Bosa had a calf strain, and those, having been in this job, having played and seeing guys over the years, those are tough," Lynch said. "And it's another one where you don't want any tightness and soreness because a re-injury keeps you out even longer.
"And so, Nick, I think [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] was very forthright. Nick was feeling very good. He had pushed it the week prior to the Commanders game and was feeling really good. Then he went out, took it to the next level, where he was actually doing D-line drills, and he got a little sore. And I think that gave everyone pause, that, okay, that's a signal that it's too soon.
"I don't think it was a setback. It was just a reality that he wasn't quite there. At that point, the decision was made: let's get him through the bye week, and then, feel really good. We'll see. He's got to go through the week of practice, but he's tracking well to be back, and now, the goal is to have him back and keep him back, because he's a difference maker when he's on the field."
Christian McCaffrey injury update
On Monday, head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that running back Christian McCaffrey is dealing with a "mild hamstring strain." The 49ers are optimistic that he will be available for their matchup against the Raiders.
Lynch admitted that McCaffrey's injury initially concerned him during Sunday's game against the Falcons. However, he was encouraged when the running back returned in the third quarter, suggesting the issue might not be as serious as initially feared.
"I was pleased that he was able to keep going throughout the game, um, you know, to some degree," Lynch said. "That made me feel good about what he was dealing with. It wasn't until after the game where we got some clarity, and I think he's got a little bit of a strain in the hamstring area. If you ask Christian, that's just because they dug in it so hard during the game to try to keep him going, and he wanted to keep going.
"So, again, the bye comes at a good time for that. I think the images were on the good side, and so I think we feel good about at least having an opportunity when we come back from this bye.
"But we'll make sure Christian's right. We need him for the long haul, just like we do all our players."
More info on: Nick Bosa, Mike Evans, Christian McCaffrey
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