Mike Evans Misses Practice with Quadriceps Injury

San Francisco 49ers’ Mike Evans sat out practice due to a quadriceps strain, joining other injured players as the team prepares for competition.

Mike Evans was sidelined during the San Francisco 49ers’ practice on Monday due to a quadriceps strain, joining several other receiving teammates missing from action. Despite concerns, the injury is not considered serious and Evans participated in light drills while watching practice from the sidelines.

San Francisco’s special teams coordinator, Brant Boyer, expressed hope that this year’s punter competition would last longer than the previous year’s kicker battle, which ended with the cutting of Greg Joseph just before the regular season began. Boyer explained that the 49ers were forced to let go of one of the kickers due to a surge in injuries, with 18 players absent at that time.

As the 49ers face a similar wave of injuries this year, 14 players, including three of their top four draft picks, are currently out. Those players include De’Zhaun Stribling, Kaelon Black, and Gracen Halton, in addition to free-agent acquisition Mike Evans. Compounding the injury difficulties, Ricky Pearsall has also been placed on injured reserve.

Boyer is keen on observing punters Corliss Waitman and Jack Bouwmeester in pressure situations throughout the preseason, particularly as they prepare to hold for kicker Eddy Piñeiro. “It’s easy to do out here on the field, but how are you going to react when there are 75,000 people watching you, and it’s a national TV game?” Boyer said.

Waitman, at 31 years old, has struggled to find a permanent home in the NFL, having served as the primary punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers the past two seasons. Last season, his net average was 41.7 yards, ranking him 15th in the league, along with 26 punts inside the 20-yard line ranking in the top 10 of the league. On the other hand, 27-year-old Australian rookie Bouwmeester arrives fresh from punting at the University of Texas and is expected to compete keenly against Waitman.

During practice, without Evans and just-recovered Deebo Samuel, the top wide receiver spots were filled by Demarcus Robinson and Jordan Watkins. Meanwhile, two other receivers, Stribling and Christian Kirk, were observed sprinting on a side field with Stribling appearing to move at full speed, while Kirk participated at a reduced pace.

The competition for backup running back seems to be on hold, as both Jordan James and Black are dealing with injuries. This left Patrick Taylor Jr. as the top runner behind Christian McCaffrey, even with the recent signing of former Bears tailback Khalil Herbert.

Rookie edge rusher Romello Height, who had left Saturday’s practice due to an elbow injury, rejoined his teammates, although defensive ends Nick Bosa and Keion White remain unable to participate fully due to their own injuries.

In other news, the 49ers held one of their longest practices of the summer, which included various drills and a red zone segment. Brock Purdy performed solidly, completing 15 of 21 passes in practice. He narrowly avoided interception on a miscommunication with receiver Taylor. Prior to this, Mac Jones connected with Watkins for a touchdown in team drills.

Boyer has plans to utilize Samuel as a kick returner this season, building on his impressive return average from the previous seasons. “When they told me he was coming, I was like, ‘Hell, yeah! Let’s go!’” Boyer exclaimed, praising the impact Samuel could make.

Among the attendees at practice were New York Knicks coach Mike Brown, father of 49ers defensive quality control coach Cameron Brown, as well as former 49ers quarterback and current analyst Alex Smith, who helped to observe the team’s progress.