The San Francisco 49ers face one of their toughest challenges of the 2026 season in their Week 7 matchup on the road against the Atlanta Falcons.
San Francisco is going into the game shorthanded with fewer than 48 players available, their undefeated record (6-0) on the line.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has ruled out a handful of stars, including their main receivers. A few others are questionable for Sunday. He's discussed the need for players to stay ready because it's likely their number is called Sunday.
"It's stuff we've talked about throughout the week. Hope it doesn't get to it, and odds are it won't, but it definitely could," Shanahan said when asked if guys are ready to assume roles they don't usually play. "You're always a few injuries away from those situations and now it comes down to a couple. So, percentages go up."
Wide receivers Deebo Samuel Sr. and Mike Evans have been ruled out, Shanahan said after Friday's practice.
Additional players that will sit out include star defensive lineman Nick Bosa, linebacker Garret Wallow, safety Marques Sigle and linebacker Luke Gifford.
Cornerbacks Siran Neal and Upton Stout are questionable for the game, as is wide receiver Christian Kirk.
Shanahan says the message is to not have a letdown game. The Falcons are 2-4, but Shanahan doesn't want the 49ers to overlook them.
"That's something we talk about a lot. It's every week. I think that's the hardest thing about the NFL, just how much a game takes out of people, how much a week of preparation takes out of people and how much doing it 17 times does," Shanahan told reporters. "That's what I think is one of our strengths. I think we’ve got guys who understand how this league works. They understand what has to go into it and they know that anyone can beat you."
"I think when you have situations where we've won a number of games and we've got a bye-week ahead of us, it really helps when you can turn on the film and just show them," he added. "When you turn on Atlanta's film, they know how big of a challenge this is. We've got a number of guys down. We know they do, too, but they're a team that, I know the record doesn't show it, but they're a team that should be there in the end."
49ers injuries: Who's out vs. Atlanta Falcons?
Here's the San Francisco 49ers' injury report as of Friday, Oct. 23:
Out
- Deebo Samuel Sr., wide receiver
- Mike Evans, wide receiver
- Nick Bosa, defensive line
- Garret Wallow, linebacker
- Luke Gifford, linebacker
- Marques Sigle, safety
Questionable
- Siran Neal, cornerback
- Upton Stout, cornerback
- Christian Kirk, wide receiver
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 49ers injury report for Week 7 vs. Falcons: Nick Bosa, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel all out