The San Francisco 49ers ruled wide receiver Mike Evans out for the remainder of Sunday's contest versus the Arizona Cardinals due to a rib injury. Near the end of the first half, Evans attempted to make a play from a pass thrown by Brock Purdy. As Evans was trying to control the ball, Cardinals safety Budda Baker tackled Evans hard on his left side.
Then, Baker picked Evans up to bring him to the ground. Evans was helped off the field, but walked on his own accord. On the sideline, Evans knelt down and showed difficulties while breathing.
Baker seemed to have knocked the wind out of Evans, literally. He was then carted off the field before being ruled out for the game. Earlier in the game, Evans appeared to be hurt on a non-contact play.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer noted that the receiver looked to be in pain and held onto his collarbone. The hit by Baker likely didn't help Evans's condition as he seemed to have already been struggling with some sort of issue earlier in the game. Despite leaving the game early, Evans still made his mark on the field.
He caught three passes for 34 yards and one touchdown, which was for 23 yards at the beginning of the second quarter. Evans is coming off an injury-ridden 2025 season. He appeared in just eight games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he dealt with a hamstring injury and a broken clavicle that both left him off the field for a majority of the season.
Evans signed with the 49ers this offseason to start fresh after spending the first 12 seasons of his career with the Bucs. The receiver wasn't the only 49ers player to be carted off the field on Sunday. Left tackle Trent Williams, who signed a big contract extension this offseason, left the game in the third quarter with a stinger.
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