The unbeaten San Francisco 49ers will play Sunday’s game in Atlanta without six injured players, and three of them are among the biggest names on the roster. Defensive end Nick Bosa (knee, calf), receiver Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) and receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) are all ruled out against the Falcons, along with linebackers Luke Gifford (groin) and Garret Wallow (hamstring) and safety Marques Sigle (ankle).
There was one piece of good news on Saturday. Christian Kirk came off injured reserve and the club removed his questionable designation, which puts the veteran receiver in line for his first game in a 49ers uniform.
Christian Kirk has been activated from the Injured Reserve List, and the #49ers have removed his questionable game status for Sunday.
For all roster moves: https://t.co/GlPtyE8Mmc pic.twitter.com/eiXztd5abr
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 24, 2026
Kirk arrives as two receivers sit
Kirk signed with San Francisco in March and had been on injured reserve with a calf injury. He took part fully in all three practices this week, and offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said he “looks good.” His return comes at a useful time, with Evans and Samuel both unavailable.
Evans will also get extra recovery time no matter how Sunday goes. San Francisco has its bye in Week 8 and does not play again until it hosts the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, November 8.
A patched-up defense
Bosa and Samuel were also ruled out of last Monday’s 23-17 home win over the Washington Commanders, so this is the second game in a row the 49ers will play without either of them.
The secondary is stretched as well. With Sigle out, defensive back Siran Neal (knee) and cornerback Upton Stout (shoulder) are both questionable after sitting out practice on Wednesday and Thursday and returning in a limited role on Friday. Safety Ashtyn Davis (hamstring) carries no designation and should be available.
To cover for the missing linebackers and Bosa, the club promoted linebacker Jalen Graham and defensive lineman Ogbo Okoronkwo from the practice squad as standard elevations. Okoronkwo had been signed back to the practice squad earlier on Saturday, when defensive lineman Kevin Givens was let go.
Several regulars who were managed during the week have no designation: defensive linemen Mykel Williams (knee) and Romello Height (hand), linebacker Jaden Dugger (knee) and left tackle Trent Williams, who was given a rest day on Wednesday.
What comes next
The 49ers (6-0) face the Falcons (2-4) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 1:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, October 25. Kyle Shanahan cautioned this week that Atlanta’s record does not reflect how good the team is. The final inactive lists are due 90 minutes before kickoff. Follow the game in the Game Center and every club’s status on the injury page.
No published comments yet. Start the conversation.