The San Francisco 49ers are assessing three players who left their 36-30 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, with receiver Mike Evans and left tackle Trent Williams potentially available this week. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is also being monitored after sustaining a bruised quadriceps.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Williams is expected to resume practicing Thursday after suffering a stinger. Evans hurt his ribs during the first half and will be checked as the week progresses. Shanahan said the receiver’s injury is not expected to be a long-term issue, although his status remains dependent on how he responds.
Evans has made 12 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns in his first season with San Francisco. The 49ers are 3-0 despite injuries to several other receivers, including Ricky Pearsall, De’Zhaun Stribling and Demarcus Robinson.
San Francisco has scored touchdowns on 48.2% of its possessions through three games, the best such rate in the NFL over that span since at least 2000, according to the report. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw four touchdown passes against Arizona, his third consecutive game with a passer rating of at least 100. His season passer rating of 133.1 leads the league.
His 10 total touchdowns are tied for the most in franchise history through three games.
The offense has also gone through three games without allowing a sack, something San Francisco had not done across a three-game opening stretch since 1979. The defense, however, allowed Arizona to convert nine of 18 third downs and two fourth downs. Four Cardinals drives lasted at least 12 plays, and San Francisco has allowed seven such drives this season.
San Francisco’s special teams also had difficulties against Arizona. A punt touched blocker Siran Neal’s leg and led to a muff that preceded a 28-yard Cardinals touchdown drive. Kicker Eddy Pineiro missed two extra points and has missed six since joining the 49ers last season.
